Mysuru's Green Heart Under Threat: Citizens Demand Urgent Environmental Action

Mysuru, often celebrated as Karnataka's cultural capital and a city of palaces, is grappling with a looming environmental crisis that threatens its very essence. Beneath its tranquil facade, concerned citizens' groups are sounding a powerful alarm, highlighting a litany of ecological woes that demand immediate attention from civic authorities.

The clarion call came from prominent organizations like the Mysuru Grahakara Parishat (MGP) and the Association of Concerned and Informed Citizens of Mysore (ACICM).

During a recent webinar, part of the Mysuru City Corporation's "My Clean City, My Responsibility" campaign, these groups meticulously laid bare the city's environmental vulnerabilities. Their message was clear: while campaigns are welcome, concrete action and stringent enforcement are paramount.

At the forefront of their concerns is Mysuru’s woefully inadequate waste management system.

Despite directives for source segregation, the reality on the ground is grim. Unsegregated garbage continues to overwhelm collection points, often finding its way to unscientific landfills. The egregious example of the Lingambudhi lake bed being repurposed as a dumping ground underscores a shocking disregard for environmental norms and the sanctity of vital ecosystems.

The city's once pristine water bodies, its very lifelines, are facing an existential threat.

Iconic lakes such as Kukkarahalli, Karanji, Lingambudhi, Dalvoy, Hebbal, and Bogadi are succumbing to rampant encroachment and severe pollution from sewage discharge and industrial effluents. Citizens are vehemently demanding a comprehensive, time-bound action plan for the restoration of these ecological treasures, emphasizing the need for public participation and transparency in these crucial projects.

Beyond water, Mysuru's air is becoming increasingly tainted.

Vehicular emissions, coupled with dust from burgeoning construction activities, contribute significantly to deteriorating air quality. The proliferation of single-use plastics, despite bans, remains a persistent blight, clogging drains and polluting public spaces due to lax enforcement and a lack of public compliance.

The city's green cover, essential for its ecological balance, is also under assault.

Indiscriminate felling of trees for various projects, often without adequate compensatory afforestation, is stripping Mysuru of its natural canopy. Furthermore, unchecked sound pollution from vehicles and loudspeakers adds another layer of environmental stress, impacting public health and tranquility.

Citizens are not merely pointing out problems; they are offering solutions.

Their demands include stricter enforcement of existing environmental laws, fostering greater inter-departmental coordination among civic bodies, and launching sustained public awareness campaigns. They advocate for scientific waste processing units, the promotion of rooftop solar energy, and widespread adoption of rainwater harvesting systems to build a truly sustainable future for Mysuru.

The message from Mysuru's vigilant citizens is a powerful one: the city's environmental health is non-negotiable.

It's a collective responsibility, demanding not just lip service, but a renewed commitment from authorities and active participation from every resident to reclaim and protect the natural heritage that makes Mysuru truly special. The time for urgent and decisive action is now, before the green heart of this cherished city is irrevocably damaged.