Bangalore University Vice-Chancellor N. Prabhu Dev on Tuesday appealed to Mayor S.K. Nataraj not to go ahead with his plan of drilling 400 borewells in the city.
The plea comes when the university is organising a three-day international conference, Environment Pollution, Water Conservation and Health, in the city from July 29 to celebrate the centenary year of its Department of Zoology.
Briefing presspersons, Dr. Prabhu Dev said the city's groundwater table has plummeted alarmingly. “Even the Central Ground Water Board has advised against more borewells in the city,” he added.
Dr. Prabhu Dev pointed out the groundwater table around the Jnanabharathi campus increased by six feet after the university's green drive. “Already 40,000 saplings have been planted on the campus. We expect the water table to rise by 11 feet when we achieve the target of one lakh trees.”
M. Ramachandra Mohan, Chairman, Zoology Department, said the department was working closely with the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike and the Bangalore Development Authority to preserve lakes in the city by suggesting measures to prevent water contamination.
Over 1,000 delegates will participate in the conference to be held on the Central College campus. The Department will publish a policy and vision document on issues concerning environment, biodiversity and health at the end of the conference. A special postal cover will also be released.
New courses
The Department of Zoology, Bangalore University, is starting three postgraduate diploma courses to commemorate its centenary.
Department chairman M. Ramachandra Mohan said the diplomas — in water conservation and management, apiculture; and eco technology — will be offered from the academic year 2011-12.
