Mysuru, Oct. 26 – Students of city’s JSS Arts, Commerce and Science College, have called for conservation of important lakes in Mysuru including Kukkarahalli Lake, Lingambudhi Lake and Undabatti Lake along with prioritising usage of bicycles to save environment.

The decision was the outcome during a interactive programme jointly organised by the Department of Sociology of JSS Arts, Commerce and Science College, Ooty Road, Rural Literacy and Health Programme (RLHP) and Karnataka State Youth Network at JSS College auditorium in city on Friday.

During the interaction, the students highlighted that important lakes in Mysuru city were being polluted with sewage water let into the water body and added that there was a need to create awareness on using bicycles and public transport to reduce the pollution level.

The students insisted that government authorities must mandate for installation of rain water harvesting system for all newly constructed buildings and stop chopping of trees for roads development. “Authorities must also deploy electric buses for city transport to reduce pollution and continue with the ban on single use plastic at tourist locations,” they added.

Presiding over the event, College Chief Executive Prof. B.V. Sambashivaiah called for judicious use of water and other natural resources to prevent pollution and conserving nature.

Stating that usage of solar energy had increased to 40MW in Mysuru, Prof. Sambashivaiah added that nearly 63 percent of renewable energy was being used in Mysuru which was good development for State’s eco-friendly initiatives.

RLHP Director Saraswathi, Senior Assistant Horticulture Director Y.N. Mamata, Agriculture Officer Venkatesh, Writer Kusuma Ayarahalli, Hemalatha of Tourism Department, Principal Dr. M. Prabhu, Sociology Department Head Dr. Somashekar and others were present.