Mysuru: The experts of Karnataka Lake Conservation and Development Authority who took up a study on whether to go-ahead with desilting work at Kukkarahalli Lake or not, in its six page report have recommended against the project with Deputy Commissioner D Randeep.
After the University of Mysore took up desilting work at Kukkarahalli lake, there was mixed reaction from the people including the experts and protests were staged against ongoing desilting and also for it by opposing groups. After seeing the mixed reaction from people and experts, Randeep had asked UoM authorities to stop the ongoing desilting work and requested KLCDA to nominate two experts to study the issue.
KLCDA nominated Rama Prasad and C N Babu who in turn inspected the lake on March 14 and interacted with both the groups and general public. After going through all the details and feedback from the people, the experts have recommended to deputy commissioner that desilting work should not be carried out now. Few of the reasons they have mentioned is that there is no sewage treatment plant at the lake and that UoM had not taken clearance from KLCDA to take up desilting works. The experts also mentioned that the existing polluted water will have to be drained or pumped out so that clean water can be filled.
A proper schedule of draining and filling the lake should be prepared in consultation with experts on environment and ornithology so that bird and animal life dependent on the water body is not unduly distressed.
Apart from this, the experts have also recommended DC to not take up the proposed projects like providing and fixing a water harmoniser system including HP jet pumping unit, floating drum deck, providing and fixing diffused aerator system, providing and constructing the boating jetty, providing orchidarium, butterfly park, bamboo park, adventure park and aquarium. The panel has approved fixing of sign boards, tree identification boards with information, dustbins and ticket booth.
