1. Lakhs Catch Last Glimpse of Siddaganga Seer
Vachana recitation, chanting of Veda mantras and the cries of teary eyed devotees marked the final rites of the late Shivakumara Swami in Tumukuru on Tuesday, 22 January.
Prior to that, the who’s who of the government and political establishments paid their last respects to the seer with floral tributes. They were led by Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy, leader of the Opposition BS Yeddyurappa, Former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda and Former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. The ceremony began with a three-round gun salute. The two-minute silence that followed the national anthem was punctuated by sobs of some devotees and shutter sounds from the cameras.
Shivakumara Swami had chosen the final resting place right next to the ‘Gadduge’ of his guru Atavi Shivayogi.
(Source: Deccan Herald)
2. Six More Bodies Found, Karwar Boat Tragedy Toll Mounts to 14
The death toll in the Karnataka boat capsize touched 14 on Tuesday, 22 January, with the recovery of six bodies from different places off Karwar’s shore. Those who survived said there were at least five other boats in the vicinity when theirs sank near the point where river Kali reaches the sea, but none of them came forward to help. Passengers on those boats, in fact, whipped out their smartphones to click photos of the sinking boat, they claimed.
The discovery of six more bodies followed a coordinated operation of the Navy, Coast Guard and coastal security police (CSP).
(Source: The Times of India)
3. Karnataka Submits Report to Centre on Mekedatu Reservoir
A Detailed Project Report (DPR) has been submitted by the Karnataka government to the Central Water Commission (CWC) regarding the Mekedatu reservoir/drinking water project. The Mekedatu project has long been the pinpoint of conflict, with several voicing their opposition to it.
According to reports, a letter was sent to the Chief Engineer of the CWC’s Project Appraisal Organisation by the Karnataka state Principal Secretary of Water Resources Department on 18 January. In the letter, the Karnataka government claimed that an initial report had been submitted to Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry, but that none of the co-basin states had replied.
(Source: The News Minute)
4. Karnataka Tops The List in Number of Forest Fires
Karnataka ranks No. 1 in the number of forest fire cases this year, says the final report of the Forest Survey of India (FSI). This has caused concern among forest officials as the forest fire season has just started. It has also left central officials worried over the state’s preparedness.
Karnataka tops the list with 77 forest fires. Maharashtra follows with 34 cases. Then in line are Arunachal Pradesh (27), Nagaland (24) and Andhra Pradesh (14). However, Karnataka is not in the top-five list of highest number of forest alerts in 2018. Here it ranks third. Punjab and Maharashtra are the top two states.
(Source: Deccan Herald)
5. All Buildings in City are Illegal, as per NGT Order
If the National Green Tribunal (NGT) order on lake buffer zones and drains is imposed, all 19 lakh properties in the city will have to be demolished. This stunning revelation was made by the local civic body on Tuesday, 22 January.
The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), in its submission to the apex court on the existing properties in connection with the green panel’s order on the buffer zone for lakes and drains, has raised concerns that if the Supreme Court (SC) upholds the NGT’s order, it may result in demolition of all properties in the city.
(Source: The New Indian Express)
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