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Cultural events, marathon mark Kere Habba in Jayanagar

Last Updated 28 November 2015, 19:53 IST

Various events and cultural activities were organised at the seventh edition of Kere Habba here at Byrasandra Lake in Jayanagar on Friday.

The lake fest, organised by Namma Bengaluru Foundation (NBF) and residents of RBI Colony, was held to celebrate the 20-year struggle of the colony residents, under the moniker of the Byrasandra Lake Savers, led by Venkata Subbarao, to protect the lake from extinction.

A Kere Puja was conducted near the lake and residents took part in various cultural activities. A marathon and a marchpast by school children was also held.

“Citizens should take the lead to create citizen-friendly cities with clean water bodies and lush green ambience. It is possible only if people take keen interest in protecting environmental assets”, said Venkata Subbarao.

“Venkata Subbarao and residents of the colony are truly an inspiration for every Bengalurean. Around 20 years back, a citizen’s movement was started against illegal encroachment of Byrasandra Lake and today we are here to recognise and celebrate this inspiring victory.” said Sridhar Pabbisetty, CEO of NBF.

Since 1992, the lake faced the threat of encroachment several times when the BBMP tried to fill it with debris to relocate slum-dwellers and when the lake was mortgaged by builders using fake documents.

Under Subbarao’s leadership, the residents filed PILs and fought cases in the High Court to save the lake.

In November 2013, BDA began the process of rejuvenating the lake which had become a dumping yard for garbage, animal waste and a breeding ground for mosquitos.

Former Lokayukta N Santosh Hegde, BBMP Mayor BN Manjunath Reddy,  Transport minister Ramalinga Reddy, Corporator Gangambike Mallikarjun, BDA engineer L Raghu, and BBMP chief engineer Sathish, attended the event.

NBF intends to conduct the Kere Habba every month for five years, from 2015 to 2019. Previously, Kere Habba was organised at Kaikondrahalli, Puttenahalli, Madivala, Chellakere, Allalasandra and Horamavu.

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(Published 28 November 2015, 19:53 IST)

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