Greens urge DC to convene District Lake Protection Committee meeting

Mysore/Mysuru: Thippayyanakere near Lalithadripura (Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Nagar) that was rejuvenated by benevolent Corporates of the city using their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds is in a sad state now as gallons of sewage water is flowing into the Lake day in and day out.

Environmentalists of Mysuru have expressed concern over sewage entering the Lake in a layout developed by Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) and have sought immediate measures to save the water body.

Thippayyanakere, situated adjacent to Ring Road in Lalithadripura, was rejuvenated in 2018 by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Mysuru and District Administration under “Project Mysuru Water Positive by 2021.” The rejuvenation of the 10-acre Lake was funded by Automotive Axles Ltd. under its CSR initiatives.

The rejuvenation included prevention of sewage flow, desilting, erecting of fences to give it a clear identity, removal of encroachments, planting of ornamental saplings, gardens and laying of sitting and walking areas.

MUDA Layouts to take blame

But now, every day gallons of sewage water flows into the Lake from Police Layout, Giridarshini Layout, Alanahalli Layout and surrounding areas. There are more than 1,000 houses in the said areas developed by MUDA and sewage flows relentlessly and the Lake has turned smelly.

Recently, a group of citizens visited the Lake and were shocked to see the sewage flow. Bhamy V. Shenoy, Founding Working President of Mysore Grahakara Parishat (MGP), has written to Mysuru Deputy Commissioner Dr. Bagadi Gautham to convene a meeting of the District Lake Protection Committee to initiate measures to save the Lake.

Sewage terms not enforced

‘’Thippayyanakere is one of the few beautiful lakes of our city and its surrounding park supports both migratory birds and local species. When the Layout was developed, according to the contractual terms, private developers and also MUDA were expected to provide for the proper handling of sewage either by having nearby sewage treatment plants or by connecting to UGDs. Only then should they allow people to occupy the houses. But such important conditions are not usually enforced,” he said. 

“It is equally sad that despite the Zoo Authority of Karnataka (ZAK) looking after the maintenance of the park (this was made possible because of the initiative of the then DC Abhiram G. Sankar), they could not force the housing authorities to stop letting sewage in. Is it possible that they did not even try? What saddened us even more is that despite highly qualified professionals having residences in this Layout, very few have shown interest to get involved,” he wrote.

“It is equally depressing that only a handful of residents have complained to MUDA and though its Chairman visited the spot, no steps have been taken so far to save the Lake,” he added.

MLA’s intervention sought

The green activists have also sought the intervention of Chamundeshwari MLA G.T. Devegowda and he has promised to take up the issue with MUDA Chairman. “We request you to convene a meeting of the District Lake Protection Committee at the earliest to save the Lake,” Shenoy has urged the DC.

He has threatened to approach the National Green Tribunal (NGT) or file a PIL in case the matter was not taken up on a priority basis by the District Administration. “Please save us the trouble of approaching the NGT or filing a PIL and convene a meeting of the District Lake Protection Committee to force MUDA to save the beautiful Lake,” he said.