Shivamogga: Girl swept away in flood water
Rains continue to wreak havoc in Western Ghats
Shivamogga: With the rains wreaking havoc in several places in Western Ghats range in the district, major rivers are flowing above the danger mark. Normal life was paralysed in Thirthahalli and Hosanagr taluks. Amidst this, a school girl washed away in flood water in a stream in Thirthahalli taluk on Monday.
When the girl identified as Ashika (14) of Kendalubailu Doddamane near Agumbe tried to cross the foot-bridge across a stream, she slipped into the flowing water and washed away. She was studying in 9th standard at Guddekere government high school. Because of heavy rains, schools and colleges in the taluk were declared holiday on Monday. But unaware of the holiday, she has gone to the school. After she came to know about the holiday, she returned home. While going back home, she tried to cross the stream over the foot-bridge, but slipped into the water and swept away, it is said.
Sources also said that the incident happened when her mother was accompanying her at that time.
The taluk officials and senior police officers rushed to the spot and began searching operation to trace the body of the girl. Because of heavy rains, the searching teams were finding it difficult to continue the search operation.
Though the rains gave some respite in other parts of the district, he continued to lash in the Western Ghats range in the district.
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Karnataka govt directs municipal corps to regulate, prohibit pigeon feeding
Bengaluru (PTI): The Karnataka government has issued directions to municipal corporations across the state to regulate and prohibit feeding pigeons in public places, citing serious public health concerns.
Deputy Secretary to Government V Lakshmikanth has written to the Urban Development Department requesting it to issue directions to the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) and all municipal corporations to take immediate steps to implement the measures.
In an official note dated December 16 issued by the Health and Family Welfare Department and released to the media on Wednesday, the department said uncontrolled feeding of pigeons in public places has resulted in large congregations of birds, excessive droppings and serious health concerns, particularly respiratory illnesses linked to prolonged exposure to pigeon droppings and feathers such as hypersensitivity pneumonitis and other lung diseases.
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"The commissioner, the Greater Bengaluru Authority and the Commissioners and chief officers of other municipal corporations shall take necessary action to mitigate the causes of dangerous disease spread by pigeon and enforce specified guidelines in their respective jurisdiction," the note said.
According to the department, these include a prohibition on feeding pigeons or causing pigeons to be fed in areas where it may cause nuisance or pose a health hazard to the public. Pigeon feeding shall be permitted only in designated areas in a controlled manner, subject to certain conditions.
"The designated areas may be selected in consultation with stakeholders. The responsibility for upkeep of the designated areas and compliance to the directions shall be taken up by some charitable organisation or an NGO. The feeding in designated areas shall be permitted only for some limited hours in the day," it said.
The note further stated that authorised officers of local authorities shall issue on-the-spot warnings and may impose fines for violation of the order, or lodge complaints to prosecute offenders under Sections 271 (Negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) and 272 (Malignant act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
It also directed local authorities to conduct public awareness campaigns, including the display of signboards, banners and digital messages, explaining the health hazards associated with pigeon droppings and feathers, the content of the regulatory directions and penalties for violations, and alternative humane methods of bird conservation that do not endanger public health.
