Hoskere lake to be eco-tourism hub
The Western Ghats Task Force is contemplating to tie-up with the Forest department to develop Hoskere lake near Kengeri, into a medicinal park and an eco-tourism hub.
Addressing a press conference in Bangalore, Task Force Chairman Ananth Hegde Ashisara said he would soon place a proposal before the Government to develop the 800 acre lake by recovering the encroached portions.
A decision to this effect was taken at the Task Force meeting held in Bangalore on Wednesday. A Forest Committee has been constituted to conduct a survey of the lake, he said.
Biodiversity
Ashisara said the Task Force will finalise strategies for protecting the biodiversity in the coastal districts of Udupi, Dakshina Kannada and Uttara Kannada at a meeting scheduled to be held at Honnavar on January 1, next year.
A study sought
The Task Force meeting also decided to entrust the Centre for Ecological Studies at Indian Institute of Science to conduct a study on carrying capacity of Uttara Kannada district.
Replying to queries, Ashisara said the task force has opposed the 400-MW Gundia hydroelectric project planned in the eco-sensitive Western Ghats belt. He said the Task Force has communicated its stand to Government. The Task Force has also made its stand on the proposed power project in Tadadi in Uttar Kannada district clear to the Government. “It is mandatory for the Government to abide by the laws framed for the conservation of forests and the environment,” he said.
