Benagluru: After inspecting 27 lakes in the city, the United Bengaluru on Friday convened a meeting of its core members to discuss ways to protect lakes across Bengaluru.
The citizen group has promised to continue its lake visits next month, after which they will address zoning issues which last week caught the eye of the entire state after the Urban Development Authority issued a draft notification on zonal regulation.
Former Chief Secretary V. Balasubramaniam said, “The United Bengaluru must file Public Interest Litigation in NGT, questioning the implementation of the N.K. Patil report on lake restoration.” Narrating the experience he gathered from the lake visits, Mr Subbu Hegde, President, Classic Orchards Property Owners’ Association, said that local residents are aware that lakes have to be restored for their own survival.
“We must get the revenue map of all the lakes, mark the boundaries and identify the encroachers. As per the old revenue records, we can declare all lakes as heritage areas which can ensure protection from violators,” said Mr N.S. Mukunda of the Citizen Action Forum.
Mr Subramaniam said, “Of 2,300 tonne of human excreta produced in the city, 2/3 rd is not cleared by the BWSSB. Unless sewage is not stopped from entering the lakes, they cannot be saved.”
Mr Ramesh Shivram of the Forward Foundation blamed the BWSSB for failing to tackle sewage and waste disposal issues.
