If rivers die, Bangalore too will die

If rivers die, Bangalore too will die
The Times of India

Bangalore: People living around the catchment of Arkavathy and Kumudavathy rivers — which feed into Tippagondanahalli (T.G. Halli) reservoir — have warned that if the rivers die, the city will eventually die too.

These villagers have joined hands with a network of NGOs to spread awareness and fight the ‘rampant violation’ of a two-year-old government order (GO) that declared T. G. Halli catchment area a ‘protected zone.’

For instance, on Friday, members of Arkavathy-Kumudavathy Coordination Committee (AKCC) showed reporters videos and photographs of the extent of groundwater in the area. D. Dominic (from Oxfam), H.R. Jayaram and Y. Lingaraj (both from AKCC), said mining, quarrying and unchecked industrial activity continued in the ‘protected zone,’ despite the GO.

“A softdrinks plant on Tumkur Road lets waste water into the Kumudavathy, while granite quarrying is illegally on at Chikkamaranahalli,’’ Jayaram, an advocate and organic farmer, said.

While they have petitioned government officials, little has been done. ‘But we have had some successes, the latest being the May 27 order of the Karnataka State Apellate Authority (KSAA) directing Gogo Exports, a textile factory in Doddaballapur, to close as it has let out effluents polluting the surrounding areas,’’ he explained.

Residents stressed if the Arkavathy and Kumudavathy rivers are not saved by regulating pollution, Bangalore will eventually suffer. “Slow pollution can contaminate groundwater, and the impact will be felt later,’’ they said.