Mangaluru: The Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) council has approved a proposal permitting the Halekote Sri Mariyamma Temple management committee in Bolar to oversee the maintenance of the historic Gujjarakere Lake. The temple committee will take charge of cleaning efforts and preventing contamination, ensuring the lake remains well-preserved.

Public Welfare at the Core

The lake, rejuvenated under the Mangaluru Smart City Limited (MSCL) project, will now be maintained by the temple committee at its own expense. The MCC has set key conditions:

  • Public access and vehicular movement must not be hindered.
  • No advertisements will be permitted on the premises.
  • MCC retains the right to revoke the agreement if maintenance standards are not met.

Collaboration for Better Conservation

B. Ashok Kumar, president of the temple committee, stated they are awaiting official confirmation from MCC before commencing work. “We expressed interest in maintaining Gujjarakere and will coordinate with Sri Ambamaheshwari Seva Trust, Jeppu, which has already been involved in its upkeep,” he said.

The Sri Ambamaheshwari Seva Trust initiated cleanliness efforts around the lake by appointing dedicated staff under their ‘Namma Uru, Namma Hemme, Namma Parisara, Namma Javabdari’ (Our City, Our Pride, Our Environment, Our Responsibility) project in 2023.

Challenges & Future Plans

Gujjarakere, a 1,800-year-old lake, was rejuvenated at an estimated cost of ₹3.7 crore under the MSCL initiative. However, water contamination and visitor safety remain ongoing challenges, requiring continuous intervention.

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