Private hand in lakes draws flak
Bangalore, dhns:  Various civic and environmental organisations on Thursday condemned the handing over of Hebbal and Nagavara tanks to private parties for commercial development and demanded cancellation of these agreements.
Leo F Saldanha of Environment Support Group said the tanks have been handed over to private   parties in an adhoc manner by the Lake Development Authority (LDA).
“The LDA was entrusted with the task of conservation and preservation of tanks and not engage in activities which constitute commercial development of these critical wetlands. Hebbal and Nagavara tanks are among the most important habitats for resident and migratory waterfowl and are part of an international effort to monitor waterfowl population over the past two decades,” he said.
Talk on health and food quality
Bangalore Hotels Association, along with BBMP and PES Institute of Hotel Management will hold a workshop on public health, clean environment and food quality in hotel industry, at PESIT auditorium in Bangalore on August 25. Hotel management experts will make presentations at the workshop. Call 26509314.

Konkani music festIval
A Konkani music festival will be held at the Town Hall on August 26. The festival, which will be inaugurated by Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy, will showcase several prominent Kannada and Konkani music artistes.
Music directors Guru Kiran and Olvin Fernandes and singer Puttur Narasimha Nayak will participate in the function organised by Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy in association with Karnataka Konkani Catholic Federation.

Seminar on   foreign policy
Karnataka State Peace and Solidarity Organisation will hold a seminar on Indian foreign policy at Senate Hall, Central College on August 26. Former ambassador A M Khaleel, former Atomic Energy Commissioner Chairman M R Srinivasan and ISEC Chairman S L Rao will participate.

Augmentation of coaches
Train no 6526/6525 Bangalore City-Kanyakumari-Bangalore City Express has been augmented with two three-tier second class sleeper coaches up to September 9 to clear extra rush on account of Onam festival.