Vimlendu Jha Urges Bengaluru to Focus on Wetlands to Prevent Flooding
Environment expert Vimlendu Jha has highlighted the need for Bengaluru to de-urbanise and concentrate on its wetlands and green spaces to prevent flooding. Jha explained that the city has experienced flooding due to encroachments on lakes and wetlands, which previously absorbed excess water. He emphasized that Bengaluru must not only cater to human needs but also preserve its natural ecosystem to survive climate change.
Jha pointed out that the city’s unplanned growth has led to a 1000% increase in urban population and a 60-70% loss of wetlands and green cover. This has disrupted the natural water management system, resulting in floods due to poor urban planning. He noted that the high intensity of rainfall, a result of climate change, exacerbates water-logging and traffic issues, bringing life in the IT capital to a halt.
Additionally, Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy criticized the Congress government in Karnataka for its handling of the recent rainfall, comparing Bengaluru’s situation to Venice. He mentioned that many areas are waterlogged, forcing residents to seek refuge in hotels, and that the floods have destroyed crops. Kumaraswamy remarked that efforts to transform Bengaluru into Singapore have instead turned it into a ‘Venice-like’ city.
Doubts Revealed
Vimlendu Jha -: Vimlendu Jha is an environmental expert who works to protect nature and raise awareness about environmental issues.
Bengaluru -: Bengaluru, also known as Bangalore, is a large city in India known for its technology industry and pleasant climate.
Wetlands -: Wetlands are areas where water covers the soil, like marshes or swamps, and they help manage water by absorbing excess rain and preventing floods.
De-urbanising -: De-urbanising means reducing the amount of city-like development in an area to preserve natural spaces like forests and wetlands.
Encroachments -: Encroachments refer to illegal or unauthorized building or development on land, often leading to problems like flooding.
Unplanned urban growth -: Unplanned urban growth happens when cities expand quickly without proper planning, leading to issues like traffic, pollution, and flooding.
Climate change -: Climate change refers to long-term changes in temperature and weather patterns, often caused by human activities like burning fossil fuels.
HD Kumaraswamy -: HD Kumaraswamy is a politician in India who has served as the Chief Minister of Karnataka, the state where Bengaluru is located.
Congress government -: The Congress government refers to the political party in India that was in power in Karnataka during the time of the floods mentioned.
Venice -: Venice is a city in Italy known for its canals and frequent flooding, often used as a comparison for places experiencing severe waterlogging.