The two-member expert committee appointed by Karnataka Lake Development Authority visited the Kukkarahalli Lake yesterday to collect public opinion on pro and anti-development of the Lake and its environmental impact. The committee comprised retired Professor Ramprasad from the Indian Institute of Science and retired Chief Engineer C.N. Babu.

The University of Mysore and the district administration had jointly planned to implement a Rs. 3 crore project for de-silting, constructing toilets, boating jetty, entry arches and shelters on the tank bund. Environmentalists had opposed the project and responding to the protests, DC Randeep had written to the Lake Development Authority to depute two experts to study the Lake’s conservation.

Over 50 persons from various green groups had accompanied the experts to the Lake yesterday where they expressed views for and against de-silting. Those who opposed the de-silting works said that such works during summer will make the Lake to go dry, killing a large number of aquatic species and the bird species that are inter-dependent.

According to the experts, there is a need for de-silting but if the silt is removed before clean water is filled in it, there are chances of sewage water getting into the pits and polluting the Lake. Prof. Ramprasad said that the first priority was to ensure that there was sufficient fresh water inflow into the Lake. The committee will take into account all aspects, including the hydrological condition and the ecological imperatives in its final report.

On their part, participants demanded the release of fresh water into the Lake and de-silt the water body only through acknowledged scientific ways. They pleaded with the committee not to allow any construction activity or concrete works that will spoil the Lake’s eco-system. They urged the experts to disallow projects like butterfly park, aquarium, adventure park and bamboo park which involve laying a thick carpet of concrete in the midst of unending greenery.

Speakers felt that the Lake development should not be merely human-centric but must take into account ecological aspects and integrate the requirements of local flora and fauna. They said that while they were not against development, it should not be mere concrete development. Participants alleged that there was a lack of transparency in the entire development process.

Maj. Gen. (retd) S.G. Vombatkere said what was taking place at Kukkarahalli was excavation and not dredging and flayed the University of Mysore for being an irresponsible custodian of the water body. This drew sharp reactions from a section of the University’s engineering staff who opposed his statements.

After the meeting, the experts felt that the process of de-silting, as it’s being done now, could harm the Lake. “There is a need of a fresh and better approach. We will submit a report to the Karnataka Lake Development Authority in 15 days,” Prof. Ramprasad said.

Environment activists and representatives of citizen groups including Convener of Kukkarahalli Lake Protection Committee Prof. K.M. Jayaramaiah, Vasanthkumar Mysoremath, G.V. Krishna, Bhanu Mohan, Pavan, Madhusudhan, M.M. Shenoi, Bapu Sathyanarayana, Muddukrishna, Thammaiah, Shanthamallaiah and others were present.