Bangalore Recreation - Lakes | Parks | Sports

[KavirajG]

Originally Posted by avinash2060

I think this is the same religious theme park project that ISKCON has planned in Bangalore some years back.

Anw, when will it be completed?

[gentem]

GOLF ASIAN TOUR EVENT
KGA to host Indian Open
R Satya | TNN

Bangalore: The Indian Open, the country’s premier Asian Tour event, moves down south for the first time after 48 editions. And the Karnataka Golf Association course, rated as the best in the country in recent times, will get the privilege of hosting this year’s event. Sumit Rathor, president of KGA, confirmed to TOI on Wednesday that the
prestigious event would be held at the par-72, 7227-yard course from October 18-21. “We just signed the agreement with Nimbus, the rights holder, today,” revealed Rathor.
For the record, the officials from Nimbus, Indian Golf Union and the Asian Tour did a recce of the KGA in May and expressed their satisfaction.
The KGA will become only the fourth Indian Open venue since its inaugural edition in 1964. The Delhi Golf Club (DGC), Royal Calcutta Golf Club (RCGC) and the Classic Golf Resort (CGR) have been the other hosts. While the DGC and RCGC have been alternating the event for close to four decades, the CGR hosted it twice at the turn of the millennium -- in 2000 and 2001.
The IGU, the governing body of the sport in the country, has planning this move to the south for quite some time now. It is reliably learnt that IGU, with a view to promoting the sport, has been thinking of taking the Indian Open to all the four zones – North, South, East and West. The event at the KGA, which is a regular stop on the PGTI Tour, is likely to boost the game further in Bangalore, which is already a hotbed of golf in the country.
Although the prize money of the event is yet to be confirmed, it is learnt that the sponsors, most likely Hero, are set to hike the prize money from last year’s $1.25 million.
Rathor, meanwhile, was delighted to get the Asian Tour event. “We have been trying to get the event to the KGA for a long time and this was a collective effort of the managing committees of the past,” Rathor said. As regards the facilities at the KGA, Rathor said that the club was planning to add another level to the existing driving range. “What we are planning to do is have another level, after it goes through the General Body for approval, that is,” Rathor pointed out.
“Once it is approved, we are planning to have it running much before the Indian Open and it would be able to accommodate at least 50 golfers at one go,” he added.
Work on the new practice green is already under way and Rathor said that KGA is not leaving any stone unturned for the successful conduct of the Asian Tour extravaganza in October.
Previous hosts (Indian Open): DGC: 26 times; RCGC: 20 times; CGR: Twice.


ACTION-PACKED: A huge turnout during a pro event at the KGA

No loo, no water AT ULSOOR LAKE
Tourist Spot Lacks Amenities like Toilet, Water | People Still Not Allowed To Use BBMP’s New Washroom
Sunitha Rao R | TNN

Bangalore: Not many cities can boast of a lake in their heart. So it does not come as a surprise that Ulsoor Lake, that’s in the middle of Bangalore, is one of the most visited tourist spots in the city.
A boating facility is the added attraction at the water body spread over 123.6 acres in the central business district of the city. Yet, the sheer lack of basic amenities at the lake is the biggest disincentive for anyone who wants to visit the lake.
A toilet with locked doors that’s gathering dust and cobwebs at Ulsoor Lake stand testimony to the sorry state of affairs. Built by BBMP in 2010, the well-furnished toilet for men and women is yet to be open to public. The front portion of the building has, in fact, become a garbage dump.
“We have been told that water lines are yet to be fixed in the facility. But I wonder, how can BBMP construct a toilet without providing water,” said a staffer of Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation (KSTDC), which maintains the boating facility here.
The KSTDC officer said the issue must be resolved by BBMP. “There are over 100 visitors who come to avail just the boating facility. Even in case of dire necessity, there is no toilet facility here. A toilet built for walkers is at the other end of the lake, about three km from our boating facility,” he said.
An 80-year-old volunteer, who is contributing his mite to keep Ulsoor Lake premises clean, said, “The BBMP had pathetically failed to provide basic amenities for walkers and visitors of the lake.” “This is disgusting. In fact, a year ago someone stole the pipelines connected to the toilet. I brought the issue to BBMP’s notice, but nothing happened,” said Lieutenant General (Retd) NS Narahari.
In April 2011, the then BBMP commissioner Siddaiah inspected the lake premises and instructed his subordinates to make the toilet usable. “For some days after the inspection, the toilets were functioning,” said a BBMP spokesperson.
But Ulsoor Lake responsibilities appear to be last on BBMP’s priority list. Top officials and even ward-level project engineers know anything about the toilet problem. “Such issues must be handled by zonal authorities,” said BBMP commissioner MK Shankarlinge Gowda.
East zone chief engineer KS Krishnaswamy said, “I don’t know.” The executive engineer, who looks after the works taken up by BBMP in east zone, said the facility does not come under his preview. A LAKE STORY One of the oldest surviving water bodies of Bangalore, Ulsoor Lake, is more than 400 years old. The lake is at the epicenter of an urban enclave that’s the melting point of cultures. Teeming with alleys and temples, the Ulsoor village on the banks of the lake was gifted to Kempe Gowda, the founder of Bangalore, by the Tuluva rulers of Vijayanagar. Kempe Gowda’s successor built the lake. The village became the core of the British settlement in Bangalore Cantonment when a military station was set up here in 1807. The lake was rebuilt in 1860s by Lewin Benthan Bowring, a British civil servant. The water body has been a wellspring of cosmopolitanism: Bangalore Tamil Sangham and a gurudwara stand on the banks of the lake.
Source: Wikipedia


THREE IS COMPANY: The boating facility in UIsoor Lake attracts at least 100 visitors daily


NO ADMISSION: This public toilet built in 2010 is now covered with dust, cobwebs and garbage

No one cares about POOL SAFETY
Civic Agency Has No Safety Rules In Place For Pools, Doesn’t Do Audits | Many Popular Pools In Bangalore Shut Down
Sunitha Rao R | TNN

Bangalore: Two drowning deaths in three days. Sadly, BBMP has no safety rules in place for pools used for commercial purposes. With the number of pools increasing given that many apartment complexes have their own, the civic body doesn't even do safety audits.
The BBMP’s town planning wing admitted to TOI there was no provision in the byelaws to inspect a pool’s safety. “Its high time we amend our byelaws. Pools don’t even come under our trade licence category,” officials said.
BK Hampagol, deputy director, technical, Karnataka State Fire and Emergency Services, said swimming pools don’t come under the purview of his department.
Every February, Karnataka Swimming Association conducts workshops and training programmes on safety measures for swimming pool trainers. But there’s hardly been any participation specially from those who manage pools in the apartments.
This year, of more than 1000 pools in the city only 25 pool operators attended and none from apartments and clubs. “The workshop should be mandatory by Public Health Institute and BBMP should conduct safety audits every year and issue licences to pools. There should be an inspection every year at the time of renewing the licence,” said T D Vijay Raghavan, honorary secretary, Karnataka Swimming association, who conducts the workshops.
What has to be checked?
“Our workshop includes training about safety measures at pools, chemical test, water test, rescue in cases of drowning and life jackets, among other things. The coach should be a certified one. Owners of apartments lack awareness about fencing of the pool,” said Raghavan. He said New Delhi insists of licences of pools based on safety standards.
Expertspeak
BBMP must authorize the Karnataka Swimming Association to conduct safety audits of pools. It's a serious issue. Pools in apartment complexes don't have fencing. Any child walking by could easily fall in. Imagine a kid who lost his ball while playing -- it could take just 30 seconds for him fall into the pool while trying to fetch it. Parents should be cautious while sending their children to swim in such pools. Coaching centres have been upgraded because of strict measures taken by the association through frequent audits. At my academy which manages six pools in the city, safety is a priority.
Nisha Millet | OLYMPIAN AND DIRECTOR, NISHA MILLET
SWIMMING ACADEMY TIMES VIEW
As a means of fitness, there are not too many exercises that can beat swimming. Besides, there is the competitive factor. Swimmers from Karnataka have ruled the roost and it’s one of the better organized sports in the state, attracting talent from across the nation. In this scenario, more public swimming pools, well-maintained and affordable, are badly needed. Getting the Kensington pool up and running should be the first step, while a relook at the cost of entry into others is long overdue.

Only 10 pools for our swimmers
Best Public Pools Have Been Leased Out To Pvt Parties
Ikram Khan | TNN

Bangalore: For a city which produced the most number of swimming champions, Bangalore has only 10 swimming pools, including six private pools. Aspiring swimmers hoping to don the Karnataka colours in national swimming meets have to make do with these, as popular pools were shut down or went to pot.
The first corporation pool at Corporation Circle was closed and in its place, a new annexe of the corporators’ block was built. The Kensington swimming pool at Ulsoor lake was closed in February 2008 and has still not opened. It once attracted the best from the area but now looks like a haunted house, with the pool and changing rooms in a dilapidated condition.
The Sankey Tank pool, which was leased out to a private party and operated as KC Reddy Swim Centre, is now leased to Global Swimming Club, but most of the regular swimmers cannot afford the membership fee and have been forced to quit their favourite sport.
A veteran swimmer and a regular at Kensington pool, M Kumar has won two gold, two silver and two bronze medals in the State Veteran Swimming competitions. He now travels 16km from Fraser Town to the National Games Village (NGV) pool. Said Kumar: “I paid only Rs 16 per hour at Kensington or Sankey, but now I pay Rs 110 per hour at the NGV pool. This is proving costly.”
The Directorate of Youth Services and Sports, it is learnt, has instructed private operators to open these pools to the public at the prescribed nominal rate of Rs 16 per hour for eight hours, but that is not happening.
CAMPS ARE CROWDED
Apart from the high membership fee, all private pools leased out by the corporation conduct swimming camps, which cost Rs 1,700-2,000 for 21 days. These camps and advanced swimming clinics attract a big number — in fact, the attendance at pools is higher compared even to cricket camps. Since the number of pools is few, parents are forced to cough up big amounts.
But in most cases, the solitary instructor employed to conduct the many batches ends up swimming against the tide, and is in no position to teach the large number of kids enrolled in each batch.
Danish Ahmed, a regular at Jayanagar swimming pool, the only corporation pool functioning as per guidelines, pointed out that gaining entry here is tough.


IN SORRY STATE: The Kensington swimming pool at Ulsoor lake

[gentem]

A Caribbean-like stadium near Nelamangala
Farmer makes a true pitch for cricket

Venkatesh Chinnappa had dreamt of becoming a cricketer.But his fathers sudden demise forced him to leave the 22 yards and plough the 32 acres he inherited.The passion,however,lived on.Paying tribute to cricket,he has built a stadium which even English county teams love

Till the other day,Venkatesh Babu Chinnappa,41,wasjustanotherregularfarmer,tending to 32 acres of agricultural land at Mahadevapura near Nelamangala that he inherited.But last year,everyone in the areasatupandtooknoticewhenafull-fledgedcricket stadium came up on 10 acres of the property.And now,it isnt just the locals who are gaping in awe.Even English county team Leicestershire has been bowled over by its bouncy and seaming pitch a rarity in India.More accolades are in store,with a team of experts from the Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI) likely to visit the stadium in July.

GIVING UP A DREAM


Getting this far has been a long slog.It had always been Chinnappas dream to make it big in the cricketing arena."I played for my college team and local clubs.I used to travel 28 km from Mahadevapura to Bangalore every day to practise,"he told BANGALOREMIRROR.
But his dream was shattered by the sudden demiseofhisfatherwhenhewas 22yearsold.Theresponsibility of supporting his family fell on the commerce graduates young shoulders.From 22 yards his concentration shifted to the 32 acres he inherited.The cricketer became a farmer,but the passion for cricket did not die.
Iwasnotsatisfieddespitethesuccessfulcrops,the floriculture,forestry,vegetables and fruit orchards.In late 2010,I started playing cricket once again with local friends in our fields.The practice sessions made me realise the importance of grounds for good cricketers.I decided to build a full-fledged stadium and set aside 10 acres for it.

indian team that won u19 world cup in australia practised in this bouncy pitch

Our lakes have short lives
Saswati Mukherjee B, TNN | Oct 14, 2012, 03.19AM IST

BANGALORE: Between them, the BDA, BBMP and LDA have spent Rs 210 crore on rejuvenation of lakes in Bangalore. But one look at our filthy, gasping lakes, and there is no evidence that work worth crores is going on to clean them up.

Lakes are revived by the stakeholders, and then lost. The funds spent just sink to the bottom, because once revived, nothing much is done to keep them in good condition.

The total number of lakes in Bangalore stands at 189 - 55 under Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), 123 under Bangalore Development Authority (BDA), six under Lake Development Authority (LDA) and five under the Karnataka forest department.

Data available with BBMP says the lake count in Bangalore is 183. The mismatch in figures notwithstanding -- some lakes are considered to be one by a certain authority and two by another authority -- the fact remains that while some lakes have been revived by the custodians, others are in dire need of upkeep. Worse, many revived lakes have gone back to being what they were in the absence of proper maintenance.

"It is largely an institutional problem," said Brijesh Kumar, chief conservator of forests, BBMP. "It is easy to revive lakes but difficult to maintain them," he added. Perhaps that's the reason why they are contemplating the involvement of local stakeholders in an organized way. "We are drawing up a draft, listing out duties and rights given to major stakeholders, including local residents. We will give them the right to manage day-to-day affairs - right from designating a place to store garbage to revenue generation (without charging entry fee)," he said.

This year, the BBMP got a sanction of Rs 140 crore for the revival of 37 lakes, all at different stages of development. According to sources, in any given financial year, the BBMP manages to use only 25% of the money, while the remaining is carried forward to the next financial year.

BDA GOES SLOW

The BDA is vested with the maintenance of 123 lakes. While they are owned by tahsildars (revenue department), the BDA is in charge of monitoring the water bodies. As on date, 22 detailed project reports (DPR) have been prepared and submitted to the LDA for approval. BDA has Rs 70 crore in its kitty.

"We spent Rs 4-5 crore on the revival of Madiwala lake a couple of years ago. Since work is incomplete, we've asked the state government to give us Rs 3.5 crore to complete the sewage work diversion we need to undertake there," said AK Varma, principal chief conservator of forests, Bangalore.

While four other lakes have not been revived yet and are in a sorry condition, the forest department is taking up their revival in a phased manner.

LDA OUTSOURCES LAKES

The LDA is the monitoring body vested with the upkeep of lakes. With four of the lakes under it been given away on PPP, LDA now has two lakes - one has been given out and the other is a fully revived one.

"As and where demands are raised, our committee scrutinizes the lake and we give the green nod for the DPR," said Ravi Ralph, additional principal chief conservator of forests and chief executive officer, LDA.

Locals jump in to save water bodies
Saswati Mukherjee B | TNN

Citizens have almost given up on the government. Worried with inaction, neighbourhood lake committees seem to have taken it upon themselves to keep the city’s lakes in prime condition.
“When will the draft be drawn? It’s time BBMP draws up the draft and gives us the right to monitor our lakes,” said PS Rai, who resides in the vicinity of Chinnapanhalli lake.
Here’s taking a look at Akshaynagara lake. Spread over 11 acres, this lake was revived in 2000, and is now under the BDA. Apartments are coming up around these lakes and their sewage is being let into the water body. “There is an issue with the bund becoming weak. The forest department revived the lake, but there was no security. The metal fence was stolen. Now, we’ve formed a team of 25-30 people who remove weeds and keep the shrubs neat once a week. We are following up with the authorities too,” said Venkatesh Sanganal, volunteer with Akshaynagara Lake Development Task Force.
“There are many encroachments, and we are following up with different authorities at regular intervals,” said Balasubramanian Thirunavukkarasu, convener of HSR Extension Federation.
WHEN ENCROACHERS SET FOOT
Some temples have come up in the area around Somasundarapalya lake, allegedly with a motive. The Federation members had organized a walkathon on October 7 and invited important people to come and take a look at the dismal condition of the lake. With a turnout of more than 350 residents from the locality, the message was loud and clear: BDA, pull up your socks.
“In Agara Lake, water has dried up completely. The area around the lake is not lit, and used for illegal activities. Many truckers halt here during the night,” said Ganesan Manickavasagam of the Save Agara Lake Group. The construction of a fence around the lake is their main demand.
But officials cite helplessness. “The catchment areas of most lakes are inhabited – which means the lake automatically does not get its supply of rainwater as and when it rains in the city. Also, with lake development being a notso-profitable job, we don’t get quality contractors who come forward to do the work,” said a senior BBMP official, on condition of anonymity.
TIMES VIEW
Though there are three stakeholders in charge of the welfare of our city’s lakes, not a single water body is in prime condition. Encroachments, inflow of sewage and effluents are killing lakes. These three civic authorities also have crores of rupees at their disposal for revival and upkeep, but they use only a fraction of the funds sanctioned, for reasons best known to them. They also outsource maintenance to citizens who have taken up a few lakes only because they care. Time the authorities cared too.
IN THE KITTY FOR THE YEAR BBMP: Rs 140 crore to revive 37 lakes BDA: Rs 70 crore
State forest department has proposed a budget of Rs 10 crore for the revival of four lakes and a separate fund of Rs 3-4 crore to complete the revival of Madiwala lake

[gentem]

Big companies are now doing their bit to conserve Bangalore's water bodies
By Saswati Mukherjee, TNN | Nov 26, 2012, 01.32 AM IST

BANGALORE: Two batches of over 40 employees each of Deloitte hit the banks of Ulsoor and Uttarahalli lakes on Friday to clean them up. They joined hands with the United Way Bengaluru's 'Wake the Lake' campaign to rejuvenate water bodies. The day was observed as the corporate's annual Impact Day, a community investment event.

Armed with tools, the employees cleared the Ulsoor Lake banks and walkways of weeds, cleaned the children's play area and painted the play equipment. Another batch cleaned the surroundings of Uttarahalli Lake and planted saplings.

"Our aim is to involve communities and put the lakes in a sustainable mode. If we don't act in our own small way now, the city will not be a good place to live in for our future generations. If we fail to put the lakes in a sustainable mode now, they are bound to die a natural death. Despite the civic bodies doing their bit, it is also our responsibility to do our bit," said Afzal Sulaiman, MD, Deloitte Consulting in Bangalore.

Lake rejuvenation activities are now an integral part of corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives. Last week, Thomson Reuters had turned up to clean the Ulsoor Lake.

"Cleaning, rejuvenating and restoring the ecology of lakes is the only way we can ensure that the city is conducive to live. So far, we watched such activities from a distance. Then we thought of participating as well," said Milan Sarkar, VP, Safety and Environmental Services, Praxair India Private Limited. This corporate has pledged to financially support the activities around Ulsoor Lake for one year.

[abdulclick]

Originally Posted by think-tank

Sankey Tank

Lalbagh Lake


Source: wiki

Thanks for sharing these cool pics...

[gentem]

Cops 'shooting' love birds in parks
TNN | Dec 3, 2012, 12.58 AM IST

BANGALORE: Imagine this. A policeman taking a camera and filming intimate moments of lovers in a park or other public spaces. Well, in public gardens like Cubbon Park, there are actually cops on the prowl, who flaunt cameras and slyly 'film' couples making it out in the park. The provocation for this, according to the cops, is complaints from elderly citizens who have been embarrassed by such unabashed display of affection in the parks during their strolls.

This tough posturing has infuriated youngsters and activists who say the drive is nothing but moral policing. The police, on the other hand, feel there's nothing wrong and are firm that they will carry on with their "shooting" campaign. They even claim that the cameras don't have rolls but warn they could "really" film the youngsters in case they need evidence.

Additional commissioner of police, law and order, T Suneel Kumar, denied that police were into moral policing but were only acting on various complaints. "We have been receiving complaints, especially from elderly citizens, about people indulging in shady activities in the park. Looking at the magnitude of the complaints, we decided to go for the drive," he said.

Not surprisingly, youngsters are not happy with the move. "Police are being perverts. What can be cheaper than shooting couples in the park! If people have complained about any nuisance, police should put up boards. How different are the cops from B grade movie directors, if they go around shooting couples making out?" said Raul Menzes, an accounts manager with an advertising major.

But police have their supporters too. An anonymous reaction to the news reports on the police action read: "What police are doing is right. We should not love like animals. We have to maintain decorum. Today's youngsters are immature and always cross all the lines of decency and decorum. What parents cannot do at least police are doing. We have to put a stop to these youngsters going high in public parks.

We elders cannot even go to park for walks due to indecent and immature behavior in front of elders. Police should send them to jail if they cross the limit of decency in public places and malls."

Beware of cops now lovers cant makeout inside cars also as sunfilms are banned

[JhonJ]

A park for the old and young

Famous as the Garden City of India because of its climate and greenery, Bangalore has retained its beauty through these parks. Bhashyam Park in Malleswaram which is now surrounded by malls, banks, hotels and theatres is one of the oldest parks in the city and was inaugurated by then Mayor KM Nanjappa on January 22, 1964. Maintained by the government, this park boasts of being one of the most favourite parks of the area.

Though a few walkers say that the park has become a ‘lovers’ paradise’ because of the mall and theatres situated right opposite the park, the elderly still enjoy the parks’s landscape, trees, walkers track and regular activities.

Raghavendra, a retired bank employee has been coming to the park for 20 years now. “The mango and tamarind trees of the park are just a memory now. We still find some rare birds in the park today. Though the road is filled with traffic round the clock, the park is a heaven for people like us,” he said. A retired KSRTC employee, recalls his old days. “This was a ground, which has now turned into a park and I have seen the transformation of this park over the past 30 years. I still enjoy coming to this place and meet up with my old friends,” said the 73-year-old.

Mahadevappa, the park caretaker, tells us about the winged visitors of the park. “An elderly man comes here every day between 9.30am and 10am.

He feeds these birds which seem to recognise him by now. He has been coming for the past 25 years. Sometimes when he gets delayed, the gates are kept open for him even if it is after 10.30am,” he revealed.

Since the park is handled by the BBMP, the park doesn’t see much of improvement except for regular maintenance. We do have well-known personalities like Dinesh Gundurao, Ramesh, the Association Leader of this area, who has been a regular visitor and checks on the park’s development regularly. Sharing a woe of his, Mahadevappa adds, “Sometimes we need to drive the young couples away as they don’t budge from their seats even after 8 pm.”

The park is open from 5.30am to 10am and then it opens in the evening at 4pm and visitors are allowed upto 8pm.

source:http://newindianexpress.com/cities/b...cle1364175.ece

[JhonJ]

del

[JhonJ]

BBMP clears encroachments on Yelahanka lake bed



The Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) on Thursday cleared encroachments by demolishing as many as 15 buildings put up on the Yelahanka lake bed and recovered seven acres and 13 guntas of land worth Rs three crore.

A month after serving notices on the encroachers, the BBMP Lake Division officials carried out a joint operation with the help of the BBMP Forest Division, Bangalore Metropolitan Task Force and the Revenue Department to free Yelahanka Lake from encroachments.

Overcoming little resistance from the dwellers, the BBMP officials successfully carried out their anti-encroachment drive, took possession of the property and initiated measures to fence the lake.

Spread over 292 acres, Yelahanka lake is one of the biggest water bodies in the City. In recent years, about 14 acres was encroached upon.

A few months ago, BBMP had evicted encroachments in 6 acres 30 guntas of the lake bed.

On Thursday the remaining encroachment was also cleared. B V Satish, Chief Engineer, BBMP Lake Division, said, “We have removed all the encroachments. We have planned to develop it as a model lake of the City.”

The eviction drive was carried out by BBMP executive engineer Ganga Hanumaiah, Assistant Conservator of Forest K R Krishnamurthy, Range Forest Officer Venkateshappa, Environment Engineer Sapna, BMTF sleuths, revenue officers and the Yelahanka police.

source:http://www.deccanherald.com/content/...anka-lake.html

[JhonJ]

B’lore litfest from today

Promising a three-day escape to an enduring world of high calibre writing, poetry, books, music and art, the ‘Bangalore Literature Festival 2012’ is all set for a spectacular kick-off at the City’s Jayamahal Palace on Friday.

source:http://www.deccanherald.com/content/...est-today.html

[amithpallavoor]

I saw a lot of work happening on clearing the encroachments at Halagevedarahalli lake - Rajarajehwari Nagar. A few earth movers were also in action. Any updates or has there been any communication from BBMP on this?

[gentem]

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fb...&type=1&ref=nf
the garden city

[pavan9741650414]

[pavan9741650414]

[strike2]

This park was inagurated after renovation today.It is located near 17th cross bridge malleshwaram behind Brigade gateway.

Before it used to be an OK park. But it was given to Brigade Developers to redevelop the park as part of their CSR I think. They have done a fabulous job of renovating the park with a waterfall along the bund

Wish more private players come forward to help beautify our city

[JhonJ]

Death knell for Kacharakanahalli lake

The once-pristine 57-acre Kacharakanahalli lake has been turned into a virtual landfill with the Bangalore Development Authority dumping mud and debris into it, gobbling up almost one third of the water body. Another part of the lake has a temple, a dhobi ghat, a slum and small patch of greenery.

The Supreme Court, in its landmark judgement in the case of Animal and Environment Legal Defence Fund vs Union of India,1997, and Susetha vs the State of Tamil Nadu, 2006, had pointed out that conservation of a lake was an equal responsibility of both the State and the citizens. But in 2011, the BDA in blatant violation of the top court’s verdict, went ahead and implemented its 1984-85 plan of converting the lake into a civic amenities site instead of reviving it.

“It is a clear violation. The BDA has encroached upon the Kacharakanahalli lake. Even though the revenue department has not transferred the land to them, the civic agency has already poured tonnes of waste into the lake and is now dividing the area with a concrete stone perimeter,” said a local resident.

The 1984-85 plan obtained through RTI mentions that the BDA would construct public utility services such as hospital, college, playground, market, dhobi ghat, temple, etc, at the spot. But so far, it has managed only a temple.

HBR Layout corporator B Govindaraj said, “There is no encroachment going in the area. We have already cleared private encroachments and intend to develop the place by constructing a mall there.”

He said the revenue department was yet to transfer the land to the BDA because of technical issues.

Local residents, however, are not convinced. One of them said he feared poor people living in the area could be evicted to accommodate malls and other structures. “We will be glad if the authorities revive the lake, which will help avert water scarcity in future,” he said.

source:http://www.deccanherald.com/content/...alli-lake.html

[JhonJ]

Death of Mathikere lake

Like many other lakes in Bangalore, Mathikere lake too is facing a slow death. The lake which was once home for many aquatic species and migratory birds has now become a dumpyard and a source for dumping of waste.

Untreated sewage water from the nearby residential area is let into this lake.

No thanks to the authorities for their sheer negligence and apathy towards the depleting water bodies which are leaving behind precious degraded water bodies.

Besides these problems, the encroachment of the lake has reduced it to a small pond. The residents here are pretty cut about the apathy demonstrated by the authorities. Residents claim that J P Park is built on the encroached area of the lake.

Speaking about the beauty of the lake, Chandrika (name changed), said, “The lake was known for its scenic beauty.

Migratory birds took shelter here. The water was crystal clear and was surrounded by lush greenery. And also, fishing was livelihood for residents in the vicinity of this lake earlier.”

Gradually with urbanisation, the lake which was once spread over 125 acres has now reduced to 80 acres.

“The development of the lake has taken a back seat. As the population here increased, sewerage was let into the lake and the water body soon vanished. Now only a stretch of contaminated water is left with an obnoxious stench that can be felt kilometres away.”

Residents further say that even after repeated complaints, the authorities have not taken any action except beautifying the park.The area corporator, B R Nanjundappa was not available for comments.

source:http://newindianexpress.com/cities/b...cle1422035.ece

[strike2]

Brigade group redevelops park at Malleswaram

Bangalore-based property developer Brigade Group has undertaken an initiative as part of corporate social responsibility to reach out and enhance the quality of life of communities.

As a first step, the company has redeveloped the park at Malleswaram 17th Cross at over Rs 125 lakh.

M.R. Jaishankar, CMD, Brigade Group, said: “As part of our CSR initiative, we undertook the redevelopment of the park. We strongly believe in our philosophy of providing a better quality of life for people within our projects as well as the neighbourhood. The redevelopment of the park at Malleswaram is our contribution towards improving the life of people there.

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/...cle4315673.ece

[Cygnus-X1]

Lal-Bagh Flower Show - This time, there was a replica of Eiffel tower, bedecked fully with red rose buds. Some pictures (image quality isn't the best due to crowds, sunlight & glass!)

[Cygnus-X1]