Karnataka Largest state in South India in terms of geographical area

Karnataka Largest state in South India in terms of geographical area

Original source - https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/bangalore/cover-story/we-are-the-biggest-southern-state-now/articleshow/35963324.cms

Creation of Telangana and AP has restored geographical supremacy to the state 450 years after the Battle of Talikota. We track the journey of the region from kingdoms to modern-day Karnataka

​The creation of Telangana, the 29th state in the Indian Union marked another change in the contours and boundaries of southern India and although Karnataka had very little to do with the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh, the creation of Telangana changed the history of Karnataka — ever so slightly.

Karnataka officially became the biggest of the South Indian states in terms of geographical area (the seventh biggest in the country). With an area of 1,91,791 sq km, Karnataka leads the ‘pack’ in the South, followed by what now remains of Andhra Pradesh (popularly called the Seemandhra region) with 1,60,205 sq km of area.

Being the biggest state in terms of area would have been a great advantage in the age of kingdoms, but no longer. Karnataka may gain very little — indeed nothing — from being the ‘biggest’. Political representation in Parliament is based on the population which means Tamil Nadu will continue to have a bigger say with its 39 MPs. Andhra Pradesh will have a diminished voice as its 42 seats would now be whittled down to 25.

But the ‘biggest’ tag does reflect (historically at least) a sort of pre-eminence. From the beginning of the sixth century, empires founded in Karnataka ruled over much of present day Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra. These included the Badami Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas, Kalyani Chalukyas, Hoysalas and the Vijayanagara Empire.

According to eminent historian S Shettar, the most enduring (in terms of time) dynasties of Karnataka were the Gangas and the Kadambas. But they ruled small principalities. “The biggest imperial house was that of the Rashtrakutas,” said Shettar. “They were the most influential rulers in India of anytime. Samudra Gupta is just highlighted due to North Indian bias. The Kailasanatha temple, in Maharashtra, alone is testimony to their eminence. Their battles reached the Himalayas and Bengal.”

Karnataka-based empires stayed the biggest in the South until the collapse of the Vijayanagar Empire 450 years ago when the hegemony ended. “The Vijayanagara Empire was different in many ways,” said Shettar. “For the first time people speaking Kannada, Telugu, Tamil, Oriya and Marathi were one empire.”

This year marks the 450th anniversary of the Battle of Talikota (also known as Battle of Rakkasa-Tangadi) which put an end to more than 1,000 years of Karnataka’s pre-eminence in politics of south India and the Deccan.

The political pre-eminence led to some of the most famous medieval cities, centres of trade and temples in India. The most famous of these was the Vijayanagara capital — now Hampi — which is said to have taken six months to destroy. Following the battle in 1565, the Vijayanagara Empire continued to exist nominally for nearly a century. Scores of Vijayanagara feudal lords began ruling over petty kingdoms. Kannada-speaking areas were never united again until 1956.

“The 1565 battle was a colossal loss,” said Shettar. “Like the French will never celebrate the Battle of Waterloo, similarly the Battle of Talikota cannot be celebrated. But there is much to learn from defeats. Now some intellectuals and politicians from the Hyderabad-Karnataka region are demanding a separate state. It is because of the belief that there is neglect and also to some extent jealousy. This is similar to the demand for Telangana. But we have to learn from that battle (1565) and stay united.”

Ironically, says Shettar, the fight for linguistic states began in Andhra Pradesh because they felt dominated by the Tamils of Madras Presidency. “In south India, the opposition to linguistic states was confined only to a small extent from the Tamils because they feared losing territory. But slowly there are feelings that linguistic identity is not giving the requisite economical benefits. People of Karnataka are more or less emotionally reconciled to a linguistic state now.”

MOST BORDERS IN SOUTH

With the creation of Telangana, Karnataka now shares its borders with six states —Maharashtra, Goa, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. The state administration has to get in touch with the Telangana as well as the residual Andhra Pradesh for inter- state issues. Apart from river water sharing — for example, Karnataka needs to deal with Andhra Pradesh for Tungabhadra and Telangana for Krishna —and other border issues, the transport body also has to have new agreement on travel.

‘KARNATAKA’ IN HISTORY

* Sanskrit texts: Shudraka's Mruchhakatika, Varaha Mihira's Bruhat Samhite, Somadeva's Katha Saritha Sagara refer to Karnata 

* 455 CE: Kadamba king Shantivarma called, "The master of the entire Karnataka region" 

* 7th Century CE: Feudatories Rashtrakutas refer to Chalukyan Army as 'Karnataka Bala.'

* 850 CE: Amoghavarsha's Kavirajamarga calls land between Kaveri and Godavari as 'Karnata.' 

* 10th Century CE: Rajashekara's Kavyamimase: Karnataka 

* 14-16 Centuries: Vijayanagara Empire referred to as Karnata Empire by its people. 

* After Talikota battle the first of the Aravidu dynasty ruler Tirumala Deva Raya called 'reviver of the Karnata Empire' in the Telugu work Vasucharitamu.

THE BATTLE OF 1565

The first skirmishes of the Battle of Talikota started on December 29, 1564. It was on January 26, 1565 that a full-scale historic battle took place at Rakkasa- Tangadi villages — near what is Bijapur district today. The five Deccan sultanates of Ahmadnagar, Berar, Bidar, Bijapur and Golkonda defeated the Vijayanagara army, a defeat that resulted in the dramatic capitulation of the Vijayanagara Empire. 

For more than 1,000 years prior to that battle, Karnataka as we now know it was part of empires such as Badami Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas, Kalyani Chalukyas and later the Hoysalas. These were the largest empires in South India. The loss in 1565 was so severe that Karnataka was to have a united rule again only in 1956. In between, large swathes of Karnataka were briefly united under Hyder Ali. By the time Karnataka was unified post-Independence, the region was under 20 different administrationsranging from the Wodeyars to the British and a host of small principalities.

Original Source - https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/bangalore/cover-story/we-are-the-biggest-southern-state-now/articleshow/35963324.cms

Bengaluru may lose all its water bodies by 2020

How To Become a Land Shark and Encroach On a Lake in Bengaluru

Parul Agrawal https://www.thequint.com/india/2016/10/19/how-to-become-a-land-shark-and-encroach-on-a-lake-in-bengaluru

Bengaluru’s Dying Lakes

• More than 90% of Bangalore’s lakes are polluted or encroached on
• Total Number of surveyed lakes in Bengaluru – 1,545
• Lakes that are left un-encroached – 136
• Top encroachers: Real estate giants & govt agencies like BDA and BBMP
• 144 religious institutions encroached upon lake beds
• Bengaluru may lose all its water bodies by 2020

Do you want to build a house, but land is expensive? Need to start an industry but the ideal location is a lake? Worry not, we dish the dirt on how to encroach on lakes and become a proficient land shark. Tested against litigations and legal procedures, these methods have proved to be successful, but user discretion is advised.


Disposing of construction waste on open sites has emerged as a lucrative business in Bengaluru. (Photo Courtesy: Namma Bengaluru Foundation)

1. Dump Debris or Throw Waste Into Lakes

Construction waste is a miracle product. It has mastered the art of acquiring, penetrating and conquering lakes. Begin by dumping waste in the periphery of the lake to block the view of the water body. Over days and months, as the pile of debris grows larger, and the lake is almost invisible from the sides, many more will join your cause. No one will question anyone, since nobody knows who started first. Letting raw sewage or industrial waste into the lake is another great idea. As soon as a sizeable portion of the lake is choked with debris or weeds, you can begin construction.

Finest Example: Bellandur lake, the burning, frothing lake in Bengaluru that fell prey to sewage, tonnes of household waste, and construction debris. The area between Kalkere and Ramapura lakes in Bengaluru, once a wetland, is now completely buried.

Bengaluru has no landfills left for dumping any kind of waste. The surrounding villages that were once the dump-yards, protested and won the legal battles and are no more the designated landfills. With the lack of an efficient waste collection system and segregation of waste, any open area in Bengaluru is now a dumping ground.Divya Narayanan, Campaigner for Jhatkaa.org

Around 144 religious institutions have encroached upon lake beds in Bengaluru. (Photo Courtesy: Namma Bengaluru Foundation)

2. Build a Temple/Mosque/Church: The Gods Won't Disappoint

A temple, mosque or a gurudwara is your best bet to acquire prime location. Constructing a temple beside a lake will get you only a small piece of land. Set up camp in the middle of the lake. The size of encroachment in the middle of the lake should be directly proportional to a number of small shops dotting the edge of the lake. This helps keep untoward activity out of sight and is a source of additional income. The battle is half-won once you create access to the hallowed land. Conquer it completely by luring communities to visit the structure. Lakes encroached upon in the name of religion are fit for community use, and donation-sponsored charity hospitals and wedding halls. Land-grabbing is a bailable offence in India. The local police has a right to cancel the encroachment FIRs after preliminary investigations. If you still get caught you have both the religious community and the corrupt system by your side to ensure that no action is taken.

Finest example: Kacharakanahalli lake that completely disappeared over the decades. A government report lists a 5.2-acre temple is listed as the largest property on encroached land.

An investigation shows 117 instances of encroachment by cemeteries, rudrabhoomis and memorials over lakes. (Photo Courtesy: Namma Bengaluru Foundation)

3. Remember Your Dear Ones on the Lake Bed
Monuments, memorials and cemeteries are sacrosanct in India. It may take rounds of permissions, plans, official clearances and finances to build a school. All you need to build a memorial or a Samadhi is the right person and his loyal followers. Investments are minimal and success rates are high. Dearth of open spaces to bury the dead is a genuine concern, which has long helped the land sharks and land mafia. An investigation by The Hindu shows 117 instances of encroachment by cemeteries, rudrabhoomis and memorials.

Finest Example: Doddaballapur town, where 7.9 acres of lake bed have been turned into cemeteries.

‘Government has a right over public property’ is the common perception in India. (Photo Courtesy: Namma Bengaluru Foundation)

4. Forth in Thy Name, My Government, I Go
Encroachment in the name of government is daring but effective. Trends suggests that transformers and water-sewage pipes are guaranteed winners. People who are watchful of their surroundings may notice your activities, but will withdraw, thinking a government department is at work. Transformers and 'civil work' will block the water body from view and the 'activity' can go on endlessly. Once boundaries have been distorted, the bigger task of distorting government records remains.

Various government departments do the land survey. It is through these records that the area under lakes and ecological zones is decided. There is no central data system and different departments are involved in it. A ‘human error’ or a data entry ‘mistake’ in one of the records is enough to create a dispute or a confusion. Government machinery in India is yet to develop a mechanism that can check ‘mistakes’ and ‘deliberate mistakes’.Ashwin Mahesh, Civic Expert & Activist, Bengaluru

Finest Example: In 2007, Bysandra Lake was mortgaged to a bank for constructing apartments. The matter came to light when Indian Overseas Bank tried to auction it and the move was resisted by residents of the area.

Government agencies like Bangalore Development Authority and BBMP are amongst the top encroachers in the city. (Photo Courtesy: Namma Bengaluru Foundation)

5. For the Greater Good

Lake encroachment is not always a bad thing. It may well be for the ‘public good.’ To construct a school, a hospital, a community hall, a road or a dhobi ghaat, all you need to do is approach your local corporator with your grievances and a substantial vote bank. He/She will then identify a sizeable open area, which is most likely to be a lake or army land. The humble lakes are always the easiest to grab.

Finest example: Hosakerehalli Lake in Banashankari was encroached by NICE road and Vrushikesh school.

The most popular use for encroached lakes is real estate. Do not forget to pay homage to the lake by naming your property Vista Lagos (lake view). There’s absolutely no need for a lake to view. Your building already stands on it. All you need to do is beware of civic activists, groups like 'Ugly Indians' or 'Friends of Lakes’. They live in a utopia of clean, green cities, and can be fatal, if armed with RTIs and PILs. Entangle them in legal procedures or seek help from local goons. If the matters get worse, exit quietly, there are still 136 lakes left to be encroached on.

(The article is based on data and information from House Committee on tank bed encroachments report on lake encroachments in Bengaluru) 
https://www.thequint.com/india/2016/10/19/how-to-become-a-land-shark-and-encroach-on-a-lake-in-bengaluru

All you need to know about the Cauvery water dispute

All you need to know about the Cauvery water dispute.

A vehicle from Tamil Nadu in flames after it was torched by pro-Kannada activists during a protest over Cauvery water row, in Bengaluru

Bengaluru came to a halt on Monday, 12th September 2016, the second time in a week, after protesters targeted property and vehicles of Tamil speaking people over the Cauvery river water dispute. One person was killed and another injured in police firing in the city.

The protests and violence began after the September 5 Supreme Court order to release 15,000 cusec of Cauvery river water to Tamil Nadu for a period of ten days.

Subsequently, the apex court on Monday modified its September 5 order, asking Karnataka to release a reduced amount of 12,000 cusecs of Cauvery River water per day to Tamil Nadu till September 20. The amount was reduced in response to an urgent plea by Karnataka.

When did the dispute start?

The dispute over sharing the river's water goes back to the British era, when the erstwhile Madras Presidency and the then Mysore state (Karnataka) signed an agreement on the sharing of the river's waters in 1924.

The agreement was to be valid for 50 years and then it would be subject to a review.

However, after Independence, both states expressed their objections to the British-era agreement and the issue was taken up over several rounds of talks. With land under irrigation increasing in both states, they vied to claim a larger share of the river's water.

A Rediff report from 2007, which detailed the specifics of the 1924 agreement, says that under the original agreement, Mysore (present day Karnataka) had been permitted to construct a dam in Kannambadi village to impound 44.8 thousand million cubic feet (tmc ft) of the river's water. 

According to the report, 12 years after independence, Karnataka approached Tamil Nadu and invited its attention to several clauses under the original agreement and suggested changes. Tamil Nadu, for its part, turned down Karnataka's request and said that any changes would only be considered after the expiry of the original agreement in 1974. Madras, for its part, got the right to construct a dam in Mettur in Selam district to impound 93.5 tmc ft.

Both states would continue to negotiate without any final settlement. After years of stalemate, a three-man tribunal was constituted in 1990 after the Supreme Court directed the then VP Singh-led government to constitute a tribunal for all the concerned disputes. 

Karnataka claimed 465 tmc ft as its share before the tribunal, while Tamil Nadu demanded that the waters should be shared according to the original agreement. According to Tamil Nadu's demand, it was entitled to 566 tmc ft along with Puducherry, while Karnataka was entitled to 177 tmc ft and Kerala to only 5 tmc ft. In their separate presentations in front of the tribunal, Kerala demanded 99.8 tmc ft and Puducherry 9.3 tmc ft.

In its June 1991 interim order, the tribunal awarded 205 tmc of water to Tamil Nadu, which Karnataka would have to release annually. Further, the award also set down the weekly and monthly flows which were to be ensured by Karnataka for every month of the annual period. The award was upheld despite Karnataka's protests. Violence broke out as a result of the award in the state.

Why does the dispute continue?

The Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal would announce its final verdict only in 2007, 16 years after the interim verdict in favour of Tamil Nadu and the resultant violence.

An article from The Wire explains the verdict.

According to the article, after years of calculations and legal arguments, the tribunal said that given 50 per cent dependability of the monsoon, 750 tmc ft of the river's water would be available annually. From there, the article adds that the tribunal decided how best to distribute the available water between the four states. The final order awarded 419 tmc ft to Tamil Nadu, 270 tmc ft to Karnataka, 30 tmc ft to Kerala, and 7 tmc ft to Pondicherry. An extra 14 tmc ft was set aside for environmental purposes.

Further, the report said that the final award directed the upper riparian state of Karnataka to ensure that 192 tmc ft was given to Tamil Nadu annually, additionally, it fixed a monthly quota.

The article argues that the confusion created in the wake of the verdict and its misinterpretation has played a part in the continuing bad blood between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. The award was widely held to have given Tamil Nadu 419 tmc ft even when the interim reward was only decided to be 205 tmc.

According to the article, the verdict ensures that while Karnataka contributes 462 tmc ft of the river's waters, it can only use 270 tmc ft. On the other hand, Tamil Nadu, which contributes 227 tmc ft, gets 419 tmc ft.

However, the article says that historical reasons are to blame behind this seeming unfairness and not the Supreme Court verdict.

Going back in history, rulers like the Cholas who ruled the region which is today Tamil Nadu had built reservoirs and check dams as far back as the 10th century for agricultural purposes. 

The rulers of Mysore would build there first reservoir only in 1934. The result, the article points out, is that the farmers of Tamil Nadu had a leg up when the 1894 and 1924 agreements were entered into. 

Back in 1924, what is today Karnataka was only claiming 6.5 lakh acres of land under irrigation, compared to 15 to 20 lakh acres for Tamil Nadu. Even now, Karnataka only has 15 lakh acres under irrigation. Even upto 1974, when the 1924 agreement was terminated, nearly 80 per cent of the annual yield from Cauvery was used by farmers in Tamil Nadu.

All these factors gave Tamil Nadu the upper hand and so the state enjoys the greater share.

However, the report points out that under the 1924 agreement, Tamil Nadu’s share was 80 per cent and Karnataka's was just 16 per cent. After the final verdict, Tamil Nadu's share has come down to 57 per cent and Karnataka's has gone up to 37 per cent.

http://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/all-you-need-to-know-about-the-cauvery-water-dispute-116091300307_1.html

The mini-forest that began as an experiment on the 400-acre IISc campus in Bangalore.

All you need to know about the mini-forest that began as an experiment on the 400-acre IISc campus in Bangalore.From - http://www.thebetterindia.com/56916/forest-bangalore-lowered-temperature-raised-water-table-iisc/
The summer temperatures in Bangalore this year have been cause for particularly high concern among its residents, with some claiming that daytime temperature shot up to 41 degrees Celsius one day in April. This summer has surely felt hotter than most old Bangaloreans remember it ever being.

But, there are some parts of the city that have kept the unrelenting heat away. Walk around the lush Indian Institute of Science (IISc) campus and you will encounter several species of trees, native and exotic. The 400 acre campus is home to 112 species of trees and 45 species of grass.

There are gulmohar lined avenues, large, raintree-shaded bowers, and colourful bursts of laburnum, jacaranda, and tabebuia.

Photo: Author

And then you walk past the Centre for Ecological Sciences department (CES) and you stop short! The vegetation here is unlike anything you’ll encounter on the rest of the campus. Gigantic, woody vines weave endlessly like lace through a lush canopy, the trees are thick and dense, letting only a little sunlight through, and all around you, in the cool air, is the hum of insects and birds.

If you feel like you are in the rainforests of Agumbe, you’re not alone.
A view of the mini-forest
Photo: Dr. T.V. Ramachandra

You are in IISc’s mini-forest, a forest planted by a team of researchers led by senior faculty member Dr. T.V. Ramachandra (Energy and Wetlands Research Group). The man-made forest began as an experiment to study the adaptability of tree species endemic to the Western Ghats to a habitat and conditions considered alien to these species. It was also done to conserve native woodland trees and study their adaptability to afforestation programmes in urban spaces. To do this, 500 saplings of 49 species were planted on two hectares land in the late 1980s.

The region chosen was scrub jungle infested with parthenium weed and an annual rainfall of just 850 mm compared to the 6000 mm received by the Western Ghats.

The terrain on which the mini-forest was raised.
Photo: Dr. T. V. Ramachandra

In less than 25 years, the mini-forest transformed into a lush jungle of dense fruit and flowering trees, which have had a positive impact on the micro-climate of the campus.

Some of the species thriving here include mahua, arjuna, hirik, ylang-ylang, and the lovelyliana, found only in the moist tropical forests of the Ghats.

The liana creeper
Photo: Author

Says Dr. Ramachandra, “Temperature in the IISc campus is lower by 2 degrees Celsius compared to the rest of Bangalore city and it experiences increased humidity. The soil has enriched humus content owing to the many moist evergreen species and their good canopy cover. The forest has also raised the formerly 200-foot deep water table of IISc to just 10 feet as trees have helped the percolation of water and aquifer recharge.”

Because the mini-forest is free from human disturbance, it shelters four families of the elusive Slender Loris, many bird and reptile species, and smaller flora such as mosses, algae, fungi, and ferns.

Syzgium Laeturn (Buch.-Ham.) Gandhi
Photo: Wikimedia

“The entire plot is amazingly transformed into the type of a habitat that prevails in the moist forests of Western Ghats,” says the scientist.

Dr. Ramachandra’s studies show evidence of an ‘urban heat island phenomenon’ in Bangalore, a large number of localities with higher local temperatures. The pattern of growth in Bangalore (1005% increase in built-up area from 1973 to 2016) has had an impact on local climate (an increase of 2 to 2.5 degrees Celsius during the last decade) and natural resources with the loss of 78% vegetation and 79.5% loss in water bodies.

“Indiscriminate felling of tress in newly formed layouts and for road widening is responsible for decline in tree cover in the city. Urban sprawl or unplanned expansion of urban centres by private developers has also restricted the future growth of the city. But, with the mini-forest experiment, we have proved that increasing tree cover can raise the water table and have a favourable impact on a region’s micro-climate”, he says.

The mini-forest experiment can be replicated to create green pockets in other urban spaces as arboretums to conserve indigenous trees and provide habitats to several species of flora and fauna.

Holigarna Grahimii
Photo: Wikimedia

These green spaces also act as carbon sinks, sequestering atmospheric carbon, lowering temperature, and mitigating climate change issues. A variant of the IISc mini-forest model was implemented at K.K. High School in Varthur, following which the water table in the school has risen to 450 feet while in the rest of Varthur region, the water table stands at 900-1200 feet.

“We need to create more such mini-forests in urban areas. If we reach 33% green cover in the city (as per GoI norms), we will then have 1 tree for every resident. Now, we are at 1 tree for 7 persons,” he says.

The Central Government announced earlier this month its plan to spend $6 billion on increasing India’s forest cover but unless citizens actively participate in these reforestation efforts, the trees will only exist in government files.

Like this story? Or have something to share? Write to us: contact@thebetterindia.com, or connect with us on Facebook and Twitter (@thebetterindia).

About the author: Written by Maya Kilpadi for Earthā and republished here in arrangement with Earthā.

Parents to file a PIL on fee hike in Bengaluru's private schools

BANGALORE, SUNDAY, 05 JUN 2016

Parents to file a PIL on fee hike in Bengaluru's private schools

Parents believe fee is being hiked erratically by school managements with no scientific basis. With no relief from the government, they have now decided to fight it out in the court.

Akshatha M , 02 Jun 2016

In 2012, a private unaided school attached to CBSE board was newly opened in an area in Bengaluru where most of the IT employees live. Since the school was new, its tuition fee was comparatively nominal. Its annual fee was Rs 45,000 per student. In a parent’s words, three factors were attractive:  the board affiliation of the school(CBSE, ICSE), school infrastructure/quality of education and more importantly, the affordability.

For a parent, four years ago a tuition fee of Rs 45,000 seemed affordable, but little did he know that the school fee would almost double in the years to come. This academic year (2016-17) the same school has imposed an annual tuition fee of Rs 82,000, which is almost double the amount of what it used to charge four years ago. This has come as a shocker to the parents who have found it difficult to digest the erratic variation in fee structure.

If this is one such case, there are several such instances of irregular fee hike by unaided private schools in the city in the last few years. The tuition fee at a famous school in Marathahalli in 2012-13 was Rs 48,000. The fee saw a steep hike over the last four years and current academic year the school fee has touched Rs 87,800. There has been almost a difference of Rs 9,000 in the school fee in the year 2015-16 and 2016-17.

Yet another school on Varthur main road used to charge a tuition fee of Rs 54,000 in 2013-14. The amount sharply increased the amount to Rs 84,000 last year and this academic year it has been further hiked to Rs 1,04,000!

Parents protesting in front of a school that hiked the fees. Pic courtesy:KASPA

Such has been the scenario of irregular hike in school fee structure in the unaided private schools in Bengaluru. Unhappy over the fee structure in a private school in Whitefield, a group of parents staged a silent protest in the school premises in mid-April. As the school refused to budge to the demands of parents, they even met the Minister for Primary and Secondary Education Kimmane Rathnakar and submitted him a memorandum.

The parents accused the school of arbitrarily hiking the tuition and transportation fee and how the school management was involved in the business of commercialisation of education. The main demand of the parents was that the fee hike be rolled back. The parents say that the minister had assured them of ordering for an investigation into the school fee issue in that particular school.

The Delhi case

Such protests are not new. Similar protests were being staged in Delhi too. Parents in Delhi had protested the steep fee hike in Delhi Public School, after which the Delhi government ordered the school to roll back the hiked fee and refund the amount to the parents for the current academic year.

However, in Karnataka, the minister has not yet acted upon the parents’ demands. The inaction of the government has led the parents of Bengaluru to do something bigger and better, by formally coming together A month ago, a parent Selvaraj Mariyappan created a Facebook group for the aggrieved parents of Karnataka. The group became an instant hit and a large number of people joined the group to share the issues pertaining to schools in which their wards study.

Today, the group - Karnataka Schools Parents Association (KASPA) - has over 5,000 members from across the State. And within a month, the group has been registered as a formal organisation under the Societies Registration Act.

The parents led by KASPA have decided to stage a massive protest against the fee hike in the second week of June, at ITPL. “We are unhappy over how the schools are manipulating parents by hiking fee every year. The CBSE and ICSE bye-laws clearly state that the school management should consult the parents through parents representatives before revising the fee. But we are not convinced about the selection process of Parents Teachers Association. Often the parents are not aware of the selection process and are never informed about it,” says KASPA Vice-president Selvaraj.

Here are some of the issues that the KASPA has raised:

• Schools are hiking the annual fee by 10-22 %
• Transport fee is hiked annually from 15 to 40 %
• 80-100 % increase in tuition fee over a span of 5 years.
• 200 % increase in transportation fee in 5 years.
• Schools charging a non-refundable admission fee of Rs 50,000.
• Schools force the parents to purchase books, uniform and other stationary items from vendors nominated by the schools for an exorbitant price.
• Increase in number of students admitted to schools, while the infrastructure is poor.

Demands of KASPA

• Keep the hike very minimum. The school management should be in a position to justify the hike.
• Ensure that the parents are consulted before revising the fee and, management and parents should arrive at a consensus.
• Roll back the hike in transportation fee. The fuel price has gone down in last one year, then why the hike?
• Allow the parents purchase books and stationery items from the vendor of their choice.
• Improve the quality of government schools. It’s because of the low quality of government schools that the parents are forced to send their wards to private schools.
• Establish more Kendriya Vidyalayas.

No ceiling on school fee

The issue of excess school fee is due to the absence of a cap on the fee structure in Karnataka. The Karnataka Educational Institutions Act 1984 has not fixed a fee ceiling for unaided private schools. The Act says the maximum tuition fee in respect of private unaided educational institutions should be fixed taking into consideration the salary expenditure on teaching and non-teaching staff, plus 30 per cent of the salary expenditure towards contingency and maintenance costs divided by total number of students.

It also imposes a few clauses such as the staff’s salary expenditure should include management’s contribution towards provident fund, encashment benefit, LTC/HTC, medical, conveyance allowance.

But the question is, do the schools actually consider the above factors while calculating the school fee? What the decades old Education Act lacks is a ceiling on the fee charged by unaided private schools.

In a case of Sarvodaya School Students v/s the State government (WP 18809), the Karnataka High Court ordered the State and Central governments to work out the fee that has to be paid by each child between the age group of 6 to 14 years. The order was issued in February 2013. Following the High Court order, the Department of Public Instructions issued a draft notification for fixing the fee for private unaided primary schools. The draft made the fee calculation after considering the school expenses. The draft was made public in September 2014 and it reportedly received over 7,000 objections and suggestions from public.

But since then, it has been shelved. The Department of Public Instructions is yet to finalise the draft. Even after three years, the court case too is moving in a snail’s pace, and the issue is yet to reach the logical end.

When Citizen Matters spoke to the Director of Primary Education K Anand, he said the draft is yet to be approved in the secretariat level. “After going through the objections and suggestions, we redrafted the school fee policy. Recently a meeting was held to discuss the new draft. But it has not been finalised. Yet another secretariat level meeting is expected to be held soon, in which the decision on finalising the draft will be taken,” he said.

Even after finalising it in the department level, it has to cross several hurdles. The final draft should get the cabinet approval before it takes shape of the policy.

Fighting it out the legal way

The worried parents believe, the legal fight is the only way forward. While one set of parents are already fighting it out in the court (in Sarvodaya School case), now the newly formed KASPA too has decided to move to the court. “We have discussed with a law firm which has assured us of legal help. We will file a PIL in the High Court against the school fee issue, soon,” Selvaraj said.

Ashok Kumar Adiga, President of Bangalore School Parents’ Association who is also one of the petitioners in the Sarvodaya School case says, due to the slow movement of the case in the High Court, the Association has now decided to file a fresh PIL before the Chief Justice bench.

“Till now we were fighting for our children who were studying in Sarvodaya School. It has been four years and yet nothing much has happened. Therefore we have decided to file a new PIL in the HC demanding for the implementation of High Power Committee’s recommendations on regulating admission in private educational institutions in Karnataka,” Adiga told Citizen Matters.

In 2008, when G Kumar Naik was the Commissioner of Department of Public Instructions, the government formed a high power committee to make recommendations for a policy for admission to pre-primary to pre-university private educational institutions. The Committee submitted a brief report comprising factors such as pre-admission procedure, details of application for registration, time schedule for admission, criteria for admission process, capitation fee and defining the aspects of equality and justice.

Ashok Adiga believes it’s time now to revisit the educational policy and bring in an overall change in the functioning of private educational institutions. “I have had conversations with the KASPA members too and we will fight it out together,” he said.

Coming soon: The next part of the story that explores the issues the schools are facing, why they need to up the fees, and how much should be increased.

Akshatha M

02 Jun 2016

URL for this article 
http://bangalore.citizenmatters.in/articles/parents-to-file-a-pil-on-fee-hike-in-bengaluru-private-schools

25 ROOFTOP RESTAURANTS TO ENJOY BANGALORE

25 ROOFTOP RESTAURANTS TO ENJOY BANGALORE'S WEATHER
April 5, 2016

Rooftop restaurant visits in Delhi and Mumbai become second-string as the scorching summer heat takes over. While both the national and commercial capital observe hot evenings during the month of April and May, temperatures in Bangalore take a dip as the sun sets. Humidity remains absent from the garden city of India, making it the perfect time to pay these spectacular rooftop restaurants a visit.

So, if you are lucky enough to be living in Bangalore, check out these picturesque rooftop restaurants you must visit to enjoy the pleasant weather Bangalore experiences.

Barleyz


If you are looking for a place that serves good food, plays great music and has a great ambiance, Barleyz is your best bet. Whether you are interested in a buffet or are simply craving for a well prepared thin crust pizza, Barleyz has it all. Did we tell you, it’s a great place for first dates!

Azure, Vivanta by Taj



A romantic setting and mouthwatering food accompanied by excellent service is what makes Azure class apart. Not only is the food good, but the presentation also speaks a thousand words. Go ahead give it a try.

The Table Blue



If a rooftop restaurant experience at a reasonable rate is on your mind, you have to pay The Table Blue a visit. The tables as the name suggests are blue; an added attraction is the cycle placed on a brick wall. When was the last time you saw something this cool?

Blue Ginger, Taj West End



For the ones who are in for a Vietnamese experience both food and ambiance wise, look no further than Blue Ginger. Surrounded by a water body and lush greenery, Blue Ginger is a must visit. Did you know that Blue Ginger is India’s first Vietnamese restaurant?

Tippler- On the Roof



Are you one of those who instantly fell in love with Russia the moment you read a Leo Tolstoy book? If the answer is yes, Tippler-On the Roof has to be on your list. The menu includes food items like Vodka platter, Russian omelette, and Chicken Stragonoff. Enough said, make sure you visit.

The Tao Terraces



For an incredible experience and a taste of Pan Asian delights in one roof, make sure you visit the Tao Terraces. Enjoy a candlelight dinner amidst a beautiful setting with your significant other. Time to celebrate love the Asian way!

Vapour Pub and Brewery



What sounds better than enjoying a freshly brewed wheat beer with some friends on a Friday evening? Make sure you sit on the terrace for the spectacular views. And if you happen to be a sports freak, they have a big screen which always showcases the big games!
Peppermill Bistro



Know that place where you go for a quick snack or coffee with a friend and wish time stops? Peppermill Bistro is just the place. The white decors and the beautiful lighting will leave you awestruck. Make sure you try their shakes.

High Ultra Lounge


Oh, the view! High Ultra Lounge’s view from 430 feet above the ground has to take your breath away. Another spectacular place to enjoy Pan-Asian delicacies. Make sure you do try their Banoffee Pie, Vietnamese Spring Rolls and, of course, the Thai Green Curry.

Bierre Republic



Ever wished to eat food at a pirate’s den? Well, your wish is Bierre Republic’s command. The pirate themed rooftop ambiance will blow your mind. The freshly brewed wheat beer is another added advantage. Do not miss the Coconut Shrimp Skewers and the Barbeque Chicken Pizza.

The Fatty Bao



If you are craving for the good old momos with a glass of beer, head to The Fatty Bao. The food is mouthwatering and the rooftop ambiance is an added attraction. Oh, and if you love pandas, just take a peek at their walls and be surprised.

Persian Terrace, Sheraton



If you are looking forward to spend some quality time with your loved one amidst a beautiful ambiance, Persian Terrace is the place to be. And, kebabs, don’t forget to order some kebabs as well, you will not be disappointed.

Skyye



Who wouldn’t want to enjoy a few cocktails and some food on the 16th floor of UB City? A breathtaking view, great music and good food. You’ve just found the best place to unwind and party hard without a care in the world.

Bang, The Ritz-Carlton



Great food, fantastic ambiance and satisfactory service, what more can you ask for? While this place may seem a tad bit overpriced, the experience will blow your mind. Make sure you do try the Mutual Life here (Keep guessing what is this thing).

Bricklane



If you are looking for a place to take someone on a date, Bricklane is where you should be at. The ambiance is spectacular and the food is incredible as well. Make sure you try the fish tikka and the jerk chicken.

Loveshack



A small but amazing restaurant nestled in Domlur, Loveshack is a must visit. If your Goa is being cancelled for some reason, visit Loveshack for a Goan beach shack experience. Make sure you try their bacon wrapped prawns.

The Sky Lounge



If you are looking for a not so costly place which also has the perfect ambiance, The Sky Lounge is your best bet. The bamboo fence gives it a unique feel. The service is excellent and the food is mouthwatering.

News Café



Here’s some news for you, News Café has some of the best cocktails in town. If you happen to be a hookah lover, you will love this place. The rooftop setting, good music and good food, well you must visit at least once.

The Humming Tree



An open air setting with great music makes The Humming Tree one of a kind. Chicken Wings, Chilli Basil Chicken, Beef and Humus burger, are some of the musts here. Did you know this place is quite popular for many live music gigs?

Om Made Café



A typical rooftop café where you would preferably go either during the evening hours when the sun is about to set or on a starry night. The music is good and if you are an Italian food lover, you’ve just found gold. Make sure you try the Flat Bread, and Croque Monsieur.

The Black Pearl



Another pirate themed setting which will take you back to the Pirate of the Caribbean days. The interiors look like a pirate ship and the rooftop setting makes it even more amazing. Do not forget to get a tonne of pictures clicked with the pirate hats.

Fenny’s Lounge and Kitchen



If you need a break from the concrete jungle Bangalore has become, Fenny’s is to the rescue. While the food served here is great, it’s the ambiance that steals the show. Make sure to check out the beautiful bottle decoration.

Puma Social Club



If you are looking for a place with a great ambiance and good food, look no further than Puma Social Club. Make sure you try the Chicken Nachos and the Jalapeno Cheese balls. Try visiting the place during the evening.

Bangalore Brew Works



A private dining area, poolside ambiance, rooftop setting, city view and a separate smoking area; you name it and the place has it. Do try their pizzas and pasta, you will certainly not be disappointed.

The 13th Floor



If you are looking for a romantic evening with your significant other, visit the 13th floor. The portions are large; ambiance is jaw dropping and the music makes everything better. Do try the son in law eggs, maharaja meat platter and mojitos.

http://www.skymetweather.com/content/lifestyle-and-culture/25-rooftop-restaurants-to-enjoy-bangalores-weather/

More than 90% of Bengaluru's lakes are polluted or encroached

More than 90% of Bengaluru's lakes are polluted or encroached
A study by the Indian Institute of Science explains the reasons for the city's dying water bodies.

India has had very little to celebrate on World Wetlands Day this year as it has lost its wetlands at an alarming rate of 38% in just a decade (1991-2001). Additionally, there continues to be a regulatory vacuum around wetlands, because of which they continue to be ungoverned and unprotected.

Nowhere is it more apparent than in the city of Bengaluru, once famous for its beautiful lakes created by Kempe Gowdas and the Wodeyars of Mysore and then the British. 

The wetlands in the city are now dying a slow death thanks to rapid growth and urbanisation resulting in encroachment and discharge of sewage and industrial effluents.

Most lakes in the Bengaluru region were constructed in the 16th century by damming the natural valley systems by constructing bunds. They met the drinking water, irrigation and fishing needs of the community and were known to have a positive impact on the ecology and microclimate of the city. 

They not only help by replenishing the groundwater resources in the vicinity, but also prevented flooding, treated wastewater, arrested sediment loads and functioned as a productive ecosystem.

Current situation

A recent study on lakes titled "Wetlands: Treasures of Bangalore (Abused, Polluted, Encroached and Vanishing)" conducted by a team of researchers headed by Professor Ramachandra TV from the Energy and Wetlands Research Group, Centre for Ecological Sciences, IISc, Bangalore surveyed 105 lakes in the city. 

It found that only four seemed to be in a good condition while 25 lakes were in a very bad state, fully covered with macrophytes or dumped with solid or liquid wastes and with little or no water.


“We have been working on monitoring the state of the lakes since 1997 and the impacts of urbanisation of the lakes”, said Professor Ramachandra. “We decided to undertake this detailed study following the increasing reports of fish deaths in the lakes and we were requested by people to monitor and explore the situation.”

The physiochemical characteristics of 80 lakes of three different valleys namely Hebbal, Vrushabahavthi and Koramanagala-Challaghatta were monitored during all the seasons for a period of 24 months.Encroached and polluted lakes of Bangalore (Source: Ramachandra TV et al)

The study found that:
98% of the lakes were encroached by mafia.
90% of the lakes were sewage-fed due to sustained flow of untreated sewage and industrial effluents, dumping of solid wastes and building debris.

Water quality analysis of 80 lakes found that almost half of the lakes were highly polluted.

None of the lakes had water that was fit for drinking according to standards set by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

79% lakes fell under Class E category classified by CPCB as suitable for irrigation, industrial cooling or controlled waste disposal.

29% lakes could be classified under Class E and D as suitable for fish culture and wildlife propagation.

Only one lake, Mylasandra 1 and 2, fell under Class A that was found to be suitable for drinking purposes according to the CPCB classification.

The lakes in the Koramanagala-Challaghatta valleys were the most polluted as compared to those in the Hebbal, Vrushabahavthi valley.

Fish deaths were reported in Sankey, Lalbaugh, Jakkur and Munnekolala lakes.

Foam formation was seen in lakes such as Bellandur, Maragondanahalli, Rampura, Sarakki and Varthur.
Fire was reported in Bellandur lake.

The report argues that the main reasons for this state of the wetlands are a lack of:

• sense of belonging among all the stakeholders
• sincerity and poor decision making from the bureaucracy
• governance and poor implementation of regulatory norms
• coordination between the many para state agencies who were custodians of the lakes leading to their poor maintainence

“If local people, non government organisations, bureaucrats, regulators, come together and decide to bring about a difference with utmost sincerity, the situation will definitely change. 

Right to live with clean water and environment is for everyone, not only the influential. If it will be possible to send this report to higher authorities and make them aware that they need to be more accountable, then I think the study has served its purpose," said Professor Ramachandra.

The report ends by making some recommendations for conservation and sustainable management of wetlands such as lakes in the cities:

• The need for good governance systems in place with a single agency with statutory and financial autonomy to act as the custodian of lakes for maintenance and action against polluters.
• The need for conducting capacity studies in cities before implementing any new projects to understand the extent of urbanisation that has already happened and the impact of this on the local ecology and biodiversity such as water bodies and vegetation.
• Documentation of biodiversity in the areas.
• Adopting a holistic and integrated approach to conserving and managing lakes.
• Effective judicial systems for speedy disposal of conflicts related to encroachment.
• Better access to information for the public through digitisation of land records and availability of this georeferenced data with query-based information systems.
• Measures to clean and protect lakes
• Removal of encroachments from lakes, lake water beds and storm water drains, regular cleaning of lakes.
• Proper measures such as fencing to protect lakes and prevent solid waste from going into lakes.
• Demarcation of boundaries of water bodies such as lakes and mapping of the water bodies.
• Preparation of management plans for individual water bodies.
• Valuation of goods and services provided by water bodies.
• Restoration of linkages between water bodies.
• Prevention of pollution of lakes by only letting in treated sewage.
• Implementation of rainwater harvesting principles to maintain and recharge water bodies.
• Better regulatory mechanisms such as the following:
• To make landgrabbing a cognisable, non-bailable offence.
• Implementation of the "polluter pay principle".
• Ban on construction activities in valley zones.
• Restriction of diversion of the lakes for any other purposes.
• Decentralised treatment of sewage and solid waste, and restriction for entry of untreated sewage into the lakes. Management and restoration of already polluted lakes.
• Encouraging involvement of local communities: Decentralised management of lakes through involvement of local communities in the formation of local lake committees.
• Encouraging environmental education and awareness buildingthrough schools, colleges, citizen groups and other public forums and encouraging interdisciplinary research on ecosystem conservation and management.

http://scroll.in/article/804967/more-than-90-of-bengalurus-lakes-are-polluted-or-encroached