Mysuru: Mysore Grahakara Parishat (MGP) submitted a memorandum to Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) Chairman and MLA P.M. Narendraswamy, highlighting pressing environmental issues in Mysuru and stressing the urgent need to promote sustainable living.

The concerns were categorised into four key areas — air pollution, water pollution, solid waste management and plastic use. While the MGP’s analysis provided a comprehensive overview of critical environmental challenges, two major issues were emphasised during the meeting.

Plight of Mysuru city’s lakes

The first concern was the deterioration of the city’s lakes, particularly Kukkarahalli, Lingambudhi and Hebbal Lakes. MGP pointed out that sewage continues to be released into these water bodies due to Mysuru City Corporation’s (MCC) failure to manage the drainage system and the dysfunction of the existing sewage treatment infrastructure.

The MGP delegation was encouraged to learn that MLA Harishgowda recently met CM Siddaramaiah, urging him to ensure that only rainwater flows into Kukkarahalli Lake while stopping the inflow of untreated sewage.

The CM has reportedly assured financial support for the project and has directed the Finance Secretary to take action.

 MGP expressed hope that this initiative will finally materialise, noting that earlier efforts to remove encroachments on the Dewan Purnaiah Canal and other rainwater inlets have already generated several reports that can help expedite the work.

Single-use plastic

The second key issue discussed was the rampant use of Single-Use Plastic (SUP) in Mysuru. Narendraswamy announced his decision to form a three-member SUP Committee to make Mysuru completely free of plastic.

The Committee will include a retired Police or Army officer, one representative from the PCB, and another from MCC. The MGP delegation reminded the Chairman that despite numerous assurances and drives in the past, single-use plastic continues to be widely used in the city.

Narendraswamy assured them that he would personally oversee the initiative and could be contacted at any time regarding its progress.

While MGP expressed satisfaction with the meeting, they acknowledged that public participation and support will ultimately determine the success of these initiatives. The KSPCB Chairman also stressed the importance of collective action by citizens throughout the interaction.

The delegation was led by Dr. Bhamy V. Shenoy, Founding Working President of MGP, along with S. Shobana, Working President, D.V. Dayananda Sagar, Convener and S. Shankar, Treasurer of MGP.