Southern States
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Karnataka
`The pride of Mysore' faces a threat
By R.Krishna Kumar
MYSORE
FEB. 7.
Chamundi Hills and the ecosystem surrounding it are in dire straits in the absence of opposition from the public to the proposed denotification of land surrounding it.
The land spawning over 5,000 acres was notified under the Nehru Loka Project and there were restrictions on the land-use pattern which provided a semblance of protection to the fragile ecosystem of the Chamundi Hills. But with the Government's decision to denotify the lands as the Nehru Loka Project itself has become defunct -- the area coming under it would now be freed of any restrictions on the land-use pattern and would be up for grabs for the realtors. There is little awareness among the public of the developments or the need to conserve Chamundi Hills which lends a unique character to the city.
The Government has fixed February 25, 2002 as the last date for filing objections. The ``environmental disaster waiting to happen'' has its roots in the apathy of the politicians and the administrators who systematically went about down-playing<149> the Nehru Loka Project citing lack of funds. The origin of the project can be traced to the 1960s when a few visionaries such as Jayadevaraje Urs and Chaduranga conceived it to protect open spaces and the beauty of the city from the negative impact of ``development''.
However, the project remained a non-starter, and the first committee to study the concept in detail was constituted only in 1984. Though originally more than 5,000 acres came under protection under the concept, a re-survey of the land was ordered in 1985-86 following which the land under the project shru<149>nk to 3,560 acres. It is pertinent to note that the project itself is mentioned in the Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP) for the city but the land-use pattern was observed more in its breach than in its compliance.
As a result, concrete jungles mushroomed around the hills and unauthorised structures, including large residential layouts, sprang up with the knowledge of the Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA), which was supposed to ensure that the land-use pattern was not altered. Large tracts of land were sold to private parties and high-tension wires criss-crossed the foot of the hills.
A few religious organisations too laid claim to the land. Despite all this, the law-enforcers turned a blind eye to the developments.
Environmentalists such as U.N.Ravi Kumar, Director of CART-NIE, have stressed the importance of Chamundi Hills for Mysore and the surrounding region. It is an important watershed that can help groundwater recharge. In addition, the role of Chamundi Hills as a great repository of biodiversity,<149> including flora and fauna, <149>can hardly be overstressed. He has pointed out that the boundary of Chamundi Hills does not commence from the fence erected by the Forest Department since the ecological boundary spreads beyond. If the environment of the hills is to be protected, then the ecological integrity of the hills should also be taken into account, according to Ravi Kumar.
Jagannath, an environmental engineer, pointed out that Chamundi Hills could meet up to 20 per cent of the drinking water requirements of the city due to its water-holding capacity.
In fact, there are not many cities which can boast of such a natural setting and yet the collective apathy of the citizens is letting down the ``pride of Mysore''.
Shashi Bhushan, a professional architect, feels that Mysore needs a master perspective plan without which the open space will continue to get eroded. He said Chamundi Hills would soon be spawned by the city in all directions and the hills itself would be in the centre. He reiterated the concept of a buffer zone and suggested a central zone, comprising 200 metres around the hills in which there should be no activity; a transition zone for additional 100 metres with scope for agriculture, horticulture, etc., and outer periphery for recreation and tourism.
This approach may retain the existing character of the Chamundi Hills, says Dr. Bhushan.
A group of concerned citizens have resolved to petition to the Government not to denotify the land and in case it did they have threatened to file a public interest litigation in court. But without people's involvement, the efforts of a few individuals will not bear fruit.
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