State to develop lakes, tanks on its own: Minister

Bangalore, Jun 25 (UNI) The Karnataka Government has decided to develop and protect over 46,000 lakes and water bodies across state on its own, Minister for Science and Technology Katta Subramanya Naidu announced in the Legislative Council, here today.

He was intervening during a discussion on the protection of lakes and tanks in the state which were facing threat from land grabbers, raised by M P Nadagouda JD(U).

The Minister told the House the government would develop all lakes and tanks coming under Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagra Palika(BBMP) and Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) in Bangalore.

''The government will also take measures to take back those tanks and lakes which have already been handed over to private firms for development and maintenance,'' he said.

Mr Naidu said there was a need to conserve and preserve all water bodies since Bangalore had rich underground water resources.

''There is no proposal before the state government to invite private operators for maintenance of lakes in Karnataka,'' he added.

Earlier, raising the issue under Rule 68, Nadagouda expressed concern over most of the lakes and tanks being handed over to private firms, including five star hotels, which were exploiting the water bodies for commercial purposes.

Council Chairman B K Chandrashekhar intervened to suggest the government pass an unanimous resolution for protecting lakes and tanks threatened by land grabbers and encroachers.

All members, irrespective of party affiliation, welcomed the Chair's suggestion and appealed to House Leader and Home Minister V S Acharya to move a motion on the matter.

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