Online petition to save Bengaluru's only river
Rohith B R | TNN | Mar 2, 2016, 08.58 AM IST
Bengaluru:
Its water was used to wash the presiding deity's idol at Gali Anjaneya
temple along Mysuru Road and the Shiva temple in Kengeri. Its bank was a
favourite place for children to play and elders to laze around. And
till the 1970s, the river Vrushabhavathi was also the source of
livelihood for many people who used to grow vegetables on its banks. But
now, the pristine river has turned into a "mori" - which in Kannada
means a drain - due to inflow of effluent and sewage.
However, Bengalureans's repeated demands for its revival have fallen on deaf ears. Now, Arun Dwarakanath, a citizen, has started an online petition on Change.org demanding that the union ministry of forest, ecology and environment revive the only river of Bengaluru.
The petition launched a few days ago, has garnered support of 329 people till Saturday.
"The pollutants from industries were not the only reason for the river to die. The Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) connected all the sewer lines to the river. Today, while motoring down the Mysuru road, one can see a frothing mass of water," said Dwarakanath in his petition.
He also recalls that in 1922, Bengaluru had a 215 km-long sewage system, which was separate from the riverine system. "Thus, waste water never mixed with the river water. This changed with Independence. Studies by various agencies like the University of Agricultural Sciences and Bangalore University have shown how dangerously the lake is polluted. But the authorities have not taken any concrete action," said Dwarakath who wants the environment minister to wake up to the problem.
All about Vrushabavathi
The river is said to originate at a small hillock near Dodda Ganapathi Temple on Bull Temple Road in Basavanagudi, south Bengaluru
It flows almost parallel to Mysuru Road through areas such as Guddadahalli, Bapujinagar, Gali Anjeneya Temple, RR Nagar, Kengeri and then further south towards areas on the outskirts such as Byramangala, Chowkalli and Gopalli.
Tributary of the Arkavathy River, which joins the Cauvery at Mekedatu
Till the 1970s, it was the source of livelihood for many
Effluent and sewage have been polluting the river.
However, Bengalureans's repeated demands for its revival have fallen on deaf ears. Now, Arun Dwarakanath, a citizen, has started an online petition on Change.org demanding that the union ministry of forest, ecology and environment revive the only river of Bengaluru.
The petition launched a few days ago, has garnered support of 329 people till Saturday.
"The pollutants from industries were not the only reason for the river to die. The Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) connected all the sewer lines to the river. Today, while motoring down the Mysuru road, one can see a frothing mass of water," said Dwarakanath in his petition.
He also recalls that in 1922, Bengaluru had a 215 km-long sewage system, which was separate from the riverine system. "Thus, waste water never mixed with the river water. This changed with Independence. Studies by various agencies like the University of Agricultural Sciences and Bangalore University have shown how dangerously the lake is polluted. But the authorities have not taken any concrete action," said Dwarakath who wants the environment minister to wake up to the problem.
All about Vrushabavathi
The river is said to originate at a small hillock near Dodda Ganapathi Temple on Bull Temple Road in Basavanagudi, south Bengaluru
It flows almost parallel to Mysuru Road through areas such as Guddadahalli, Bapujinagar, Gali Anjeneya Temple, RR Nagar, Kengeri and then further south towards areas on the outskirts such as Byramangala, Chowkalli and Gopalli.
Tributary of the Arkavathy River, which joins the Cauvery at Mekedatu
Till the 1970s, it was the source of livelihood for many
Effluent and sewage have been polluting the river.
Latest Comment
This is a drainage canal, not a river. This canal takes away the sewage of Bangalore. There is need to demolish those st... Read MoreIn 2005, the then CM Dharam Singh had mooted remodeling of the river valley. But it went in vain.
Today, the water totally filthy and unfit even for fishes and other aquatic life.
.............................................................................................................................
Mumbai river now a drain
Mithi River - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mithi_River
below:-1700 map shows the river draining into mahim bay
below painting from 1800 shows river and church in mahim ,bombay
below:-River now -just a Drain
comment:-
no body cares
all parties and governments same
Hundreds march to turn the tide and save 4 rivers
TNN | Mar 6, 2016, 11.31 PM IST
ALL FOR A CAUSE: Citizens went around Dahisar, Poisar, Oshiwara and Mithi rivers.
MUMBAI:
Inspired by Mahatma Gandhi's Dandi March, a few hundred Mumbaikars met
on Sunday for a River March. Four groups of citizens went around the
periphery of the city's four rivers namely Dahisar, Poisar, Oshiwara and
Mithi, whose condition has deteriorated over the years.
The River March, in its second year, saw hundreds participating, including school students. The participants, who met at 7am, discussed the need for rejuvenation of the rivers.
Gopal Jhaveri, one of the management committee members for the march, said, "We plan to organize the River March on the first Sunday of every March. This project aims towards making the rivers of Mumbai sustainable. Mumbai as a city has everything, including a national park, the Arabian Sea as well as four rivers. It is we who need to decide whether we want these rivers or not. These rivers can be used for developing water sports and letting mangroves come back, besides its other benefits."
The organizers said that the condition of rivers will not improve till the time citizens refer to the rivers as rivers and not as nullahs. "Crores of rupees are spend every year by the BMC on desilting these rivers. Instead, if we all are focused on keeping them clean by not throwing any garbage in it, incidents like aquatic animals being washed ashore will reduce," said an organizer.
The support from the forest department and Mumbaikars has been overwhelming, he added.
Borivli resident Bajrang Agarwal, also an organizer, said that the rivers, if maintained and rejuvenated, could help in rainwater harvesting without having to spend much.
The River March, in its second year, saw hundreds participating, including school students. The participants, who met at 7am, discussed the need for rejuvenation of the rivers.
Gopal Jhaveri, one of the management committee members for the march, said, "We plan to organize the River March on the first Sunday of every March. This project aims towards making the rivers of Mumbai sustainable. Mumbai as a city has everything, including a national park, the Arabian Sea as well as four rivers. It is we who need to decide whether we want these rivers or not. These rivers can be used for developing water sports and letting mangroves come back, besides its other benefits."
The organizers said that the condition of rivers will not improve till the time citizens refer to the rivers as rivers and not as nullahs. "Crores of rupees are spend every year by the BMC on desilting these rivers. Instead, if we all are focused on keeping them clean by not throwing any garbage in it, incidents like aquatic animals being washed ashore will reduce," said an organizer.
The support from the forest department and Mumbaikars has been overwhelming, he added.
Borivli resident Bajrang Agarwal, also an organizer, said that the rivers, if maintained and rejuvenated, could help in rainwater harvesting without having to spend much.
Top Comment
Good move from these well qualified and know all of the 4 Rivers of Mumbai which need to be revived and sustained and develop them into useful Sport centres and future generations people would be tha... Read More"River March is a march of the people. We realized that while everyone knows that something needs to be done to improve the condition of rivers, nobody is aware where to start," said Agarwal.
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