Panel objects to reduced green belt

Panel objects to reduced green belt
The Times of India

Bangalore: The Arkavathy-Kumudavathy Rejuvenation Committee (AKRC) will soon file objections to reduction of the green belt in the draft masterplan 2015.

But first, committee members will hold a seminar, ‘Is it right to reduce green belt?’, to discuss Bangalore’s planned development, at Gandhi Bhavan on Friday. Committee members on Tuesday said politicians, environmentalists and ordinary citizens have been invited to attend the meeting.

Oxfam-India project coordinator for Arkavathy and AKRC member, D. Dominic wondered how long the masterplan would protect Tippagondanahalli (T.G. Halli) catchment and Bannerghatta National Park. “Increased industrial activity has already polluted Arkavathy and Kumudavathy, the two rivers that feed T.G. Halli.’’

Localised water projects:
AKRC members said Arkavathy’s original source was not Nandi Hills but Doddballapura and Nagarakkere tanks. These needed protection too. “Now, there is a project to supply water from Jakalamadugu project to Chikballapur. But there will not be enough water to feed Doddballapur, so they plan to tap Nagarakkere to do that. But, we believe localised and much cheaper water project will be enough,’’ they said.