[ಕನ್ನಡ ಅನುವಾದ ಶೀಘ್ರದಲ್ಲೇ ಬರಲಿದೆ — Kannada translation coming soon]
Mysore/Mysuru: Activists of Mysore Grahakara Parishat (MGP) met Mysuru-Kodagu MP Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar and urged him to review the necessity of constructing flyovers in Mysuru city. The MGP delegation — comprising Founder Bhamy V. Shenoy, Convenor Maj. Gen. (retd.) S.G. Vombatkere, D.V. Dayananda Sagar and members Suman Shenoy and Nagabhushan — discussed with the MP the pros and cons of building flyovers in the heart of the city at the cost of existing greenery. They highlighted the adverse environmental and urban-impact consequences of the proposed flyover project and appealed to the MP to convene a meeting of engineers and Highway experts, seek citizen feedback and arrive at an informed decision. Responding to their appeal, MP Yaduveer assured them that he would convene such a meeting and appreciated the concern expressed by MGP activists.
Kukkarahalli Lake A separate delegation of MGP met M.K. Savitha, Registrar of the University of Mysore (UoM), urging her to take immediate steps to preserve Kukkarahalli Lake and clear encroachments along the Poornaiah Canal. The delegation, led by Founder Bhamy V. Shenoy, apprised the Registrar of the current condition of the lake and stressed that removing encroachments on Poornaiah Canal was essential to ensure its long-term stability. They appealed to her to write to the concerned departments to clear the encroachments before the rainy season, so that the quality of water flowing into the lake improves.
MGP submitted a detailed report to the Registrar, with copies marked to the DC, UoM Vice-Chancellor and other officials. Registrar Savitha assured the delegation that she would soon convene a meeting of concerned officials to discuss the issue and prepare a plan of action. “We have ordered a new boat for Kukkarahalli Lake and will soon resume boating. University staff have been deputed to ensure cleanliness and we will also take up toilet repairs at the lake,” she said. Government urged to freeze new construction at Chamundi Hills, not ‘develop’ it under PRASHAD November 28, 2025 THE HINDU Growing concretisation of Chamundi Hills in Mysuru is a cause for concern. | Photo Credit: M.A. SRIRAM
Activists have flagged the growing commercialisation at Chamundi Hills amidst an increase in visitor footfall, a result of which is the rapid deterioration of the fragile ecosystem in the hills, which is also a major lung space for Mysuru. The movement ‘Save Chamundi Hills’ is all set for a revival again even as the ”development” of the hill under Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD) scheme of the Union government is set to gain traction. Under the PRASHAD scheme, there are plans to create additional amenities for tourists, including stone columns stretching from the Mahishasura statue to the temple, a queue mantapa around the temple, redesigned steps to the hill top, apart from toilets and drinking water facilities. But Bhamy V. Shenoy, founding president of Mysore Grahakara Parishat (MGP), said that PRASHAD should not be used to further concretise Chamundi Hills; the need of the hour is to freeze any new construction, however attractive it may be from an architectural and aesthetic point of view. ”The existing shopping complex should be evacuated and shifted to the foothills after paying compensation to traders. The thrust should be on preserving the biodiversity of the Chamundi Hills and enhancing the spiritual environment, which has been supplanted by commercial activity at present,” said Dr. Shenoy. Incidentally, NGOs in Mysuru, including MGP, were the first to moot the need for a Chamundi Hill Authority to freeze commercial development and focus on environment conservation. Though the Authority came into being with a government notification, it was not what the NGOs had bargained for.
Instead of saving the pristine environment of Chamundi Hills, protecting the existing forest cover, and reducing concretisation, the Authority has been conceived on the lines of Shri Malai Mahadeshwaraswamy Kshetra Development Authority at M.M. Hills. Like the latter, the Chamundi Hill Development Authority is also chaired by the Chief Minister, and all its members ditto proposals put forward by political leaders to ”enhance amenities” to tourists. There is hardly any discussion on biodiversity conservation or protecting the forests. Though Chamundi Hills is a reserve forest and biodiversity hotspot, its preservation is not among the key objectives of the Authority. Voluntary groups have studied Chamundi Hills for years and documented the flora and fauna in a scientific manner. As per their study published by Mysore Nature on its website https://mysorenature.org, Chamundi Hills support 153 species of butterflies, 193 species of birds belonging to 44 families, and 134 resident bird species. Mammals documented include bonnet macaque, common leopard, rusty spotted cat, small Indian civet, pangolin, black-naped hare, and so on. Dr. Shenoy pointed out that despite the local panchayat not issuing permission for any new shop or houses to come up at Chamundi Hills over the last 15 years, restaurants and shops have proliferated. Public opinion is also favouring a ban on entry of private vehicles to Chamundi Hills all through the year to reduce traffic congestion and minimise pollution. Such an arrangement is in place on Fridays during the Ashada season. Activists have warned that current proposals under PRASHAD risk adding new structures and tourist facilities and can make the scheme a vehicle for concretisation of Chamundi Hills, which is already under severe ecological stress.