Will talk to govt on restoring City lakes, says Javadekar

Meeting in February to review lake restoration policies: Minister

Union Minister for Environment and Forests Prakash Javadekar said on Thursday that he will hold talks with the Union government on taking steps to preserve lakes in Bengaluru.

Javadekar, who was in the City to inaugurate the Adamya Chetana Seva Utsava 2016, said that a meeting would be held in February to review the measures taken to preserve lakes in Bengaluru. “ Lakes are like treasures of Bengaluru and they ought to be preserved. The Centre has urged the State government and the City’s civic bodies to restore City lakes,” he said.

Urging people to adopt an environmentally-friendly lifestyle, he said that it is important to reduce, reuse and recycle.

“Save electricity. It is not enough if one just turns off the switches. One must turn the main power switch off when no one is at home and this will help save at least five per cent electricity, ” he added.

Lauding women who have contributed to the welfare and development of the country in several ways, Javadekar said that it was unfortunate that women have been oppressed for centuries.  “Women are known for consistency, compassion and courage,” he said.

‘Green B’luru 1:1’

Speaking on the occasion, Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilisers H N Ananth Kumar said that the aim this year is for a ‘Green Bengaluru 1:1’. “We need a total of seven plants to meet the oxygen requirement of just one person. The City has to strive to at least bring down Bengaluru’s temperature by two degrees,” he added.

The four-day event also saw an exhibition on aviation, space and defence and how to adopt an environmentally-friendly lifestyle.

Free saplings were distributed to those who pledged for ‘Green Bengaluru 1:1’.A special tribute was paid to former president APJ Abdul Kalam on the occasion.