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The Hesaraghatta Story
Conserving a Landscape in the Deccan
Speakers
The 5000 acre catchment including the 1500 acre lake bed is an important ‘lung space’ and a watershed region of the city. Grassland, Scrub forest and wetlands meet here. This area is important for the water security and ground water recharge. It is a large carbon sink. It is a refuge for endangered wildlife. It also is a grazing area for local cattle. Bio security is an important issue for the department of Animal Husbandry. Yet the government isn’t acting to protect the area using the existing law. The proposal to declare this area as a Conservation Reserve under section 36A of the Wildlife Protecton Act (1972) and it was placed before the State Board for Wildlife in January 2021. However it was bull dozed by vested interests and rejected in the meeting. Can we protect this area? Do we need to?
Hesaraghatta is also a water heritage for the city . It was in response to a drought and famine which killed around a 100,000 people that the first piped water supply scheme using steam engines was run from Hesaraghatta. Now many of the systems lie in ruins, forgotten. The revival and preservation of this memory is essential to the present and future of the city.
*Please note: BIC Venue events need attendees to be vaccinated with at least one dose and comply with all health and safety protocols
Speakers
Mahesh Bhat
In his 35 years of practice, Mahesh Bhat has donned several hats that of a photojournalist, advertising photographer, corporate photographer, editorial photographer, bookmaker and independent publisher, bookseller, filmmaker, curator, grant maker and most importantly, educator, and he continues to wear them all.
He has also been deeply involved with grassland conservation for over 17 years.
Vishwanath S
Vishwanath is an adjunct Professor at Azim Premji University and has been working in the water sector for the last 35 years. He is a Trustee at Biome Environmental Trust which works on sustainable water management.
