Conservation of Lakes and Water Bodies across Karnataka

Karnataka State Council for Science and Technology

&

Environment Support Group

INVITE YOUR PARTICIPATION IN STATE WIDE WORKSHOPS ON

“Conservation of Lakes and Water Bodies”

Organised as part of the efforts in Networking for Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) – Eco Water

Literacy Campaign 2011 (Karnataka) supported by the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India.

Workshop Dates, Time and Venues:

7th February, 2015: Bangalore: Ashirwad, St. Mark's Road, Behind Kebab Corner, Bangalore 560001 (Time: 2 pm to 5 pm)

14th February, 2015, Mangalore: Soans Farm, Moodibidri, Dakshina Kannada District. (Time: 11 am to 2 pm.)

21st February 2015, Bellary: St. Mary's School, Arunodaya Poirada, Papinayakanahall, Bellary (Time 10 am - 1 pm)

7th March, 2015, Belgaum: Zilla Panchayat Conference Hall, Belgaum 

14th March, 2015, Chitradurga: Venue (To be announced)

Karnataka region was once filled with a network of lakes, ponds and raja kaluves (canals). These Irrigation tanks (lakes) built across the region over hundreds of years have helped harvest rain water and extend water security to lakhs of people during non-rainy seasons. Besides, these lakes and ponds recharged ground water aquifers and evolved into a network of biodiversity rich wetland ecosystems. The maintenance and upkeep of these lakes, and also their reverence, has been an intrinsic part of our local culture and tradition.

Bus stands, stadiums, residential layouts, shopping complexes and palatial houses now rise over several of these lakes and tank beds. Those surviving encroachment, especially in highly urbanized areas, have been reduced to cesspools due to discharge of industrial effluents, domestic sewage and unregulated dumping of solid wastes. Due to pollution and siltation, many lakes are unable to recharge groundwater; and when they do, the water is toxic.  In this manner, several thousands of lakes have disappeared increasing water insecurity, and causing unimaginable hardship for lakhs of people.

There are nearly 38,000 big and small tanks still left in Karnataka. Many of them are under threat from unplanned urbanization, encroachment, infrastructure development, pollution and lack of upkeep. As Climate Change threatens long periods of droughts and water scarcity, lakes will form a critical feature to conserve rainwater, and in economical and ecologically viable ways.  No other mega-dam or river linking project is likely to provide water security for millions of people, and for generations to come, in the same way that lakes, ponds and wells can.  It is, therefore, critical that we must enhance our efforts to ensure these lakes remain, rejuvenate and rehabilitate them to ensure health, economic and ecological security of present and futures generations.

It is in this context, that Environment Support Group, in collaboration with Karnataka State Council for Science and Technology, and with support from the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, invite you to participate in any of the State-wide workshops on "Conservation of Lakes and Water Bodies".  

What the workshops will focus on: By participating in any one of these workshops, you will appreciate what steps can be taken to save lakes and ensure water security for present and future generations. These workshops will also assist participants with knowledge of building simple rain water harvesting systems for homes, apartments, public buildings, etc. and thus in enhancing water security and public health - by harvesting pure rain water. Participants will also be assisted in appreciating implications of the 11^th April 2012 directions of the High Court of Karnataka in W.P. 817/2008 (Environment Support Group and ors. Vs. State of Karnataka and ors.) in conformance with which Karntaka Government has set up District Level and State Level Lake Protection Committees.  

Participants will learn the following: How to access these Committees and ensure lakes, Raja kaluves and such other lands are surveyed and protected for posterity and kept free from pollution and encroachment.  The workshop will also inform how lakes series can be rehabilitated into ribbons of greenery and water flow across the length and breadth of Karnataka.

Who can Participate:  Anyone can participate. But the workshop will be particularly usefull to public officials (of Municipalities, Panchayats, District Administration, Forest and Irrigation Departments), Teachers and Students, Journalists, Voluntary Organisations, Panchayat and Ward Committee Members, Representatives of Corporate Bodies, etc..

How to Register your Participation:  Please call ESG on 080-26713559 ~ 61 and provide your Name, Affiliation, Address and Contact details.  You may also email these details to: [email protected]. Prior registration is mandatory.