JOIN USIs Karanji going Kukkarahalli Way?
Karanji-the only surviving tanks of the city is under threat. Unabated release of sewage water from the adjoining areas has not only resulted in the death of water bodies but also causing irreparable damage to the tank.
For many years, this tank was in a sad state due to negligence of the authorities concerned. It saw development only after the Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens decided to maintain this tank.
The location of this tank is so that the rain water from the Chamundi Hills flows into the tank. For this reason, this tank has not dried in recent years.
Picturesque tank
Despite many blockades in the flow of water from the Chamundi Hills side still the tank gets sufficient water to reach the brim. This picturesque tank has been the main source of many bore wells in the surrounding areas.
The name of Karanji Tank is added to the list of important tourist places of the city. The tourists, after visiting the Mysore Zoo, would take a round in the tank area because of huge trees, pleasant weather and pristine beauty of nature.
Joggers pay money and walk and exercise inside the tank during early mornings. This is also an abode for love birds to spend time from the hustle-bustle of the city.
Now this tank is facing danger. The sewage water from Siddarthanagar and adjoining areas is flowing into the tank thus polluting the water.
Mushrooming layouts
With the mushrooming of new layouts on that part of the city, the Under Ground Drainage system laid many years ago has become ineffective. The pipeline carrying untreated sewage water has punctured at many places and all that water is being added to the tank water.
Naturally the level of oxygen is declining inside the water resulting in the death of fishes. No solution has been worked out by the Mysore City Corporation (MCC) despite repeated pleas from the zoo authorities. The amount required for this work is hardly around `one crore but the MCC is not ready to take up this work on priority.
The 'concerned' zoo officials took a team of officials from both MCC and Karnataka State Pollution Control Board to show the point from where the sewage water is entering into the tank.
At that time, the MCC authorities prepared an estimate for ` 60 lakh and wanted to start the work.
But, the work was stalled on the ground that it did not have the administrative approval. Since then the MCC seems to be following 'go slow' approach and taking its own sweet time in following the procedure. As everybody knows, work of this nature is not okayed immediately as the fish cannot complain that it was dying for want of oxygen.
Release of sewage water endangering Karanji Tank
K B Markandaiah, executive director of Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens told City Herald that it was true that the Karanji Tank is really in danger due to release of sewage water into it.
Because of hand to mouth existence, the zoo is not in a position to spend ` one crore on this work.
So they are looking at the Mysore City Corporation to take some urgent steps in this direction.
He also mentioned that recently, several fishes died because of water pollution.
There will be several chemicals in the untreated sewage water and in that condition water bodies cannot survive, he added.
Markandaiah said the zoo is planning to seek the help of former skipper of Indian Cricket team and Vice-Chairman of Wildlife Board, Anil Kumble to impress the government to release the funds at the earliest in the interest of the tank.
"We strongly feel that Karanji should not go in the way of the Kukkarahalli Tank which is gasping for breath," he added.
Seeking protection
Zoo Authority of Karnataka Chairman Nanjundaswamy said an ` 3 crore proposal is being prepared to protect and preserve the Karanji Tank.
Medical Education and District In-Charge Minister S A Ramdas has been requested to use his good offices in the early release of the funds.
"I am optimistic that the money will be released soon for the revival of the tank", he added.