Mysuru: The completely bone dry Thippayanakere (Thippayana Lake) on the Nanjangud-Ooty Outer Ring Road has now come fully alive with water completely filled in the Lake.

There were nearly 30 Lakes in the city built by the Wadiyars, the erstwhile rulers of Mysuru. But, over the years most of them have been destroyed. However, with the initiative shown by the Deputy Commissioner (DC) D. Randeep, NGOs like MGP and under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), a few of the Lakes are springing back to life.

Speaking to Star of Mysore, here this morning, Randeep said, “We have to take up the rejuvenation of Lakes on a war- footing. As it is, we are focusing on the Kukkarahalli Lake. The District Administration is completely involved in the restoration.  Under the CSR initiative, former Chairman of Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Mysuru, Dr. N. Muthukumar, took the lead and adopted the Thippayanakere and Automotive Axles joined hands. The work began about five months ago. Now, we can see that the Lake, which was completely dry, is filled with water.”

The DC had called for a meeting on Aug. 19 at his office to discuss about issues related to solid waste management and rejuvenation of Lakes. He said that for rejuvenation of Hebbal Lake Rs. 35.5 crore had been earmarked under the CSR scheme, which has been given to Infosys. For Dalvoy Lake, Rs. 1.17 crore and for Kukkarahalli Lake Rs. 45 lakh has been given.

He also asked the officials present to give a suitable report on Bommanahalli and Rayanakere Lakes under CSR initiative by getting information from Karnataka Lake Conservation and Development Authority Executive Engineer Velumani.

There are two other Lakes, Tavarekatte and Devikere atop the Chamundi Hill. Due to technical reasons the work on these two Lakes have not been taken up, said Randeep.

Encroachment on  Poornaiah Canal removed

Following the demand of NGO, Mysore Grahakara Parishat (MGP) to demolish illegal buildings that had encroached the Poornaiah Canal in Sharadadevi Nagar and Railway Layout, the District Administration began the demolition of the unauthorised houses on Saturday (Aug.19).

Led by Assistant Commissioner Shivegowda, the officials of the District Administration carried out the demolition of two houses in SBM Layout and Railway Layout. As the owners of these two houses failed to produce the documents, the houses were razed to the ground, even as Saraswathipuram and Kuvempunagar Police gave protection to the officials.

Brought to CM’s notice

Dy. Commissioner Randeep told SOM that Poornaiah Canal, which runs  nearly 15 to 20 km and is the feeder canal for Kukkarahalli Lake has been encroached.

The survey work has started and this has been brought to the notice of the Chief Minister and the elected representatives. The inlets to the Lake, which have been blocked due to encroachments, will all be cleared, assured the DC.

Quoting Water Conservationist Rajendra Singh, he said that community-driven decentralised water management could be the solution for the rejuvenation of Lakes and as DC he was fully committed to preservation and restoration of Lakes.

Water gushes to Kukkarahalli Lake

It was a joyous sight to see the rainwater gushing into the Kukkarahalli Lake from almost all the 13 inlets following heavy rainfall in the last few days.

Speaking to Star of Mysore, University of Mysore Assistant Executive Engineer H. Kishore Chandra said, “We had cleared all the inlets to the Lake by removing silt and other material. There are a total of 13 inlets into the natural valley. The inlets are there on the Kalamandira, Paduvarahalli, KSOU, Open Air Theatre, Opposite to the Railway Gate and near the fish stall. The water is flowing from all these inlets into the Lake. However, the Poornaiah Canal near the University Fine Arts College is still closed. The DC is making all efforts to get this also cleared.”

Bogadi Lake crying  for attention

Meanwhile, the Bogadi Lake opposite the Anthropological Survey of India, where lot of migratory birds are seen, is crying for attention as the cleaning up of the Lake and building of tank bund work has been stalled. The Lake is now filled with water due to a few good rains. However, the authorities concerned should also take up the work at the earliest here.

The efforts of environmentalists like U.N. Ravikumar and his ilk who had worked tirelessly for the rejuvenation of Bogadi Lake should not go waste, said a Mysurean, who has been watching the ebbs and tides of Lakes  being destroyed and its restoration.