Deccan Herald Spotlight on Bellandur, Varthur lakes this Saturday

 Tasked with reviving the Bellandur and Varthur lakes in quick time, the state government has a mountain of a problem. But are the challenges surmountable at all?

To debate the issues comprehensively in a multilateral forum, DH has organised the third edition of its ‘Deccan Herald Spotlight’ at the East Cultural Association, 100 Feet Road, Indiranagar on Saturday, May 27, 5 pm onwards. Themed “Bringing Bellandur and Varthur lakes back to life”, the event has its focus riveted on the city’s endangered water bodies and the sustainability of the revival efforts.

All the stakeholders involved, including citizens, lake activists, environmentalists and scientists will share their thoughts and debate the solutions suggested. On the agenda will be questions related to the short-term, mid-term and long-term solutions proposed to get the two lakes back to life.

Here’s a sample of questions designed to trigger debates: How do we stop the entry of sewage water into Bellandur and Varthur lakes? Why single out residential complexes around Bellandur and Varthur lakes for mandatory sewage treatment? Will shutting down 97 industries completely stop the inflow of industrial pollutants in these lakes?

Offering his researched inputs will be Dr T V Ramachandra, Co-ordinator, Energy and Wetlands Research Group, Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science. Also high on the agenda will be the insights of Environment Support Group (ESG) coordinator, Leo Saldanha; Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) Member Engineer P N Nayak and Usha Rajagopalan, trustee, Puttenahalli Neighbourhood Lake Improvement Trust.

In the wake of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) ruling, the key question of the lakes’ vicinity will find a place. The poser will be this: “Shouldn't Bellandur and Varthur be seen as part of a larger lake chain and their revival planned accordingly?” Also on the agenda will be alternative views on the weeding exercise.

How to register

Participants could register online at http://www.deccanherald.com/spotlight. Spot registrations will begin at the venue at 4.30 pm. Over 300 citizens and lake activists are expected to take part in the event. They can pose questions to the panellists on lake revival efforts and trigger engaging discussions.