Find solution to save Arkavathi, Kumudvathi, HC to government

The High Court on Friday directed the State government, property owners and occupants along the catchment areas of Arkavathi and Kumudvathi rivers to come up with a solution so that the water bodies and the local people were not affected.

A division bench of Chief Justice D H Waghela and Justice R B Budihal strongly censured the government for deciding to withdraw the notification issued on November 18, 2003, which had protected the catchment area of the river course leading to Thippagondanahalli reservoir and the surrounding areas.

The notification was issued to protect the catchment area of rivers by restricting all construction activities within a kilometre on either side of the banks of the rivers.

The bench observed that the notification was withdrawn to save the skin of several government officials. It then directed environmental officers of the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board to come up with a solution and find a legal way to solve the problem.

The bench observed that saving the river was also important for the future generation. The matter will be heard again on December 18.