: Lingambudhi Lake bund dug up to drain excess water #IndiaNEWS #News Now small drains in low-lying areas around Lake overflowingMUDA buckled under pressure from biggies, say residentsEarth-movers destroy

Lingambudhi Lake bund dug up to drain excess water #IndiaNEWS #News
Now small drains in low-lying areas around Lake overflowingMUDA buckled under pressure from biggies, say residentsEarth-movers destroy trees planted by Forest DepartmentFragile ecosystem of Lake threatened, allege green activists

Mysore/Mysuru: To prevent water from the Lingambudhi Lake entering nearby layouts and properties owned by certain influential people, the Lake’s bund (Kodi) was dug up with earth-movers yesterday to let out excess water through the small drains.

While doing this, an area covered with thick green growth has been completely destroyed by earth- movers and also many saplings that were planted by the Forest Department to increase the green cover have been uprooted, destroying bird nests.

This unscientific move has angered the environmentalists and eco-activists who say that as the Lake bund has been intentionally breached, there will be no water left for the rich ecosystem of birds, animals, amphibians and underwater beings. They have alleged that Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) has buckled under pressure by the powers that be and has let out the water.

MUDA Commissioner Dr. D. B. Natesh has clarified that the Lake bund was intentionally dug up as there was a threat of Lake overflowing due to excess rains. Steps will be taken to prevent water entering nearby layouts, he added. Deputy Conservator of Forests Kamala Karikalan said that the MUDA was asked to let out the water without disturbing the Lakes ecosystem.

Overflowing drainages

Water now flows through underground drainages to reach the Dalvoy Lake where the treatment plant removes obnoxious elements in the water and supplies the same for irrigation purposes. However, the drainages that carry the Lake water are too small to accommodate such a large amount of water and the drainages are overflowing at several places threatening the residents who live in low-lying areas around the Lake. Due to continuous rains since last one month, Lingambudhi Lake has filled up and any excess water would enter the nearby layouts.

Protecting the influential

Environment activists have said that the MUDA has intentionally breached the Lake bund that is located to the east of the Lake under Survey Number 20. This has prevented the natural flow of water to nearby areas and MUDA has done this only to protect the properties owned by the influential, they alleged.

“Though the Lake is being systematically destroyed by encroachers all these years, MUDA has kept silent and has turned a blind eye to the rampant destruction of the water body. It is surprising that MUDA has now come to the rescue of people who own vast tracts of land around the Lake.