"City of Lakes" character of Bangalore in peril : experts

Jaipur, Oct 30 (UNI) Environmentalists expressed serious concerns over the highly polluted state of lake system in Bangalore, largely due to rapid and uncontrolled expansion of built up area for many years now, and stressed on strict enforcement of environmental laws and regulations to save the ''City of lakes.'' A research paper presented at the 12th World Lake Conference here by scientists of Bangalore University-Aboud S, Jumbe,N Nandini, Sucharita Tandon and N Sunitha--pointed out that despite ongoing efforts for restoration, encroachments, reclamation, sedimentation, weed infestation, untreated sewage, industrial effluent discharges, sand mining and deforestation around them were still posing serious threat to the existence of Bangalore city's water bodies.

These scientists were of the view that environmental pressure on the city's aquatic system would be properly tackled only if the main issue of encroachments and management of domestic and industrial discharge were addressed.

The reasearchers had recommended for strict enforcement of environmental laws and regulation immediately. Otherwise the ''city of Lake'' character of Bangalore would soon be a history, they warned.

UNI