Stakeholders of Kukkarahalli lake have called for better conservation measures to save the biodiversity harboured by the waterbody.
In a memorandum to the authorities, the Mysore Grahakara Parishat (MGP) has called for speed limits on the Mysuru-Hunsur road hugging the border of the lake to prevent road kills and have suggested a slew of other solutions to problems plaguing the waterbody in a bid to conserve the lake.
MGP president Shobana pointed out that the lake habitat harboured wildlife and it was common for jackals and Asian palm civet to frequently cross the highway to enter CFTRI and Manasagangotri campus in search of food. There are reports of road kills especially at night. Hence, it was imperative to introduce speed limits on this stretch of road bordering the contours of the lake, she said.
The MGP also called for installation of CCTV cameras to monitor motorists who tend to violate speed limits and penalise them. The NGO also suggested the need for installing camera traps to study in-depth the wildlife harboured on the lake precincts and suggested taking assistance from the Forest Department.
The attention of the lake authorities was also drawn to the menace of stray dogs entering the lake premises and cautioned that it posed a threat to local wildlife, including birds.
Calling for better fencing of the boundary of the lake to prevent unauthorised entry, the MGP also highlighted the imperatives of clearing encroachments along the feeder canal so that there was adequate fresh water flow to the waterbody. Other suggestions included a gradual shifting of a few offices located within the Kukkarahalli lake premises, planting indigenous trees to increase green cover, curbs on pollution to waterbody from different sources, and training camp for volunteers who wish to offer their services in the upkeep of the lake.
