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Image Credits: Sudhira, Vandan Desai, trangam @ Flickr. |
EIH communiqué: "We took up the project … with the sole intent of preserving an important natural element of the city".
M. Munireddy, Chief Executive Officer of the LDA: It(project) will turn the lake into this “unique” recreational venue. “will at least provide urbanites an avenue for recreation, and keep the place clear of slums”.
Meera Baindur, who has studied the history of Karnataka’s lakes: "People who traditionally depended on the lake will lose access. The lake will serve only one purpose — recreation for those who can pay.”
S. Subramanya, an avid bird watcher: "The Oberoi is building a hotel right in front of the lake, on the other side of the ring road. Hotel guests may gaze upon a pretty water body, but the project will possibly spell the end of birds. The ecosystem consists of four types of vegetation which grow at different water depths, supporting at least 30 species of birds. But after removing the silt, it will be too deep for some birds such as sandpipers and clovers, while boating will disturb the deep water birds such as ducks and cormorants.”
as illayaraja's haunting melody in tamil goes,
svargaane adroonu adu nammora thara iruthha? .... oDD oDi bandu, neeralli jigidu muLugi muLugi meeyakk aguttha?
Source: Divya Gandhi and Swathi Shivanand reporting for the Hindu.
ಪ್ರತಿಕ್ರಿಯೆಗಳು
Development or commercialization?
Looks like whoever approved those projects had not an ounce of ecological sense in his brain. Or may be its just another set of land sharks using development as a disguise for commercialization.
The last time I passed hebbal lake, I was really surprised to see it turning into a 'Palace Ground'
As our cities grow, such ecological islands become more and more of a relief on the environment. Just imagine south bangalore without Lalbag or Central Bangalore without Cubbon park. At least I am for once happy about the beurocracy of Horticulture department due to their slowness in introducing 'developments' in these two areas.
Speaking of birds, here is a collection of excellent photographs from an enthusiastic Bangalorean. Top quality stuff as you would appreciate. I guess there are lots of photos there taken at Hebbal too.
-Shastri
-Shastri
hey thanks man for that
Protest!!!!
How Praja can help is..
Indu/Malavika,
I surely agree that 'someone has to do something' about the issue. We believe that the 'someone' is us. Praja is a place where people like us join our voices and make ourselves heard.
In a way you have come to the right place to voice your concerns about the lake. Praja can be a place where you network with people who have similar views about issues pertaining to our city. That might help you to reach the critical number to reach out to the larger mass and join forces.
To start with, you can register yourselves and start using praja as your online space for canvasing. If you wish, you can start blogging on the issue here and document the progress of your efforts to save the lake. Some of the users here have plans to get in touch with authorities on various issues and use tools like RTI to obtain information that can help us. You can join us on that front if you wish too.
-Shastri
-Shastri
Candle light vigil
MiakkWish you the best
I wish you folks the best.
Your initiative is currently on the front page of this site and will be there till 4th evening. You are also linked at churumuri and that should get you some attention too.
-Shastri
-Shastri
Take positive steps to embrace development
I am sure that they would
I am sure that they would have people on board who understand the impact. But understandably, when they are making such a huge investment, the ecology takes a second seat and economics decide what is finally done.
Development and destruction need not be synonymous. Take jungle lodges for example. They make a good business with least impact on ecology. I am not anti-development. Far from that in-fact. What I am saying is that this looks more like a land-shark attach with cooperation from greedy officers. I dont see any sense of 'ecological conservation' in what is being planned.
-Shastri
-Shastri
Devastation of tranquility at Hebbal Lake
whoever built the hebbal
whoever built the hebbal lake had the vision to build it in a valley. infact the entire valley has many lakes. 500 years later will all the science behind us, instead of integrating the valley, all we have done is chop the valley up in parcels.
valleys have to managed in their entirety and not piecemeal. Only a public body can do that. Why are we subsidizing UAS, IISc etc if they cannot contribute to solving real and current problems? Even small volunteer citizen groups have enrolled Profs from these institutions to analyze problems and suggest solutions. Why can’t the govt can’t do it?
Whatever EIH has done so far does not betray any eco sensitivity. They have not listed any of their activities on the lake as non-profit. From what I see, it is an out and out business proposition. Apart from charging entry fees, they will run businesses in what was once a public space. There are no free public areas. In a sense this is a mall/shopping complex in a public space even if peddled under the garb of eco tourism.
Another point of view
Once upon a time
Oberois ..please lay off the flora and fauna