Cauvery river protection has received a push in Mysuru district after a pre-university student requested the Kopp Gram Panchayat to install a gate at an access point used to enter the river and prevent pollution near the Cauvery Mata idol at Kopp Gate.
Shreesha, a resident of Suntikoppa and a first-year pre-university student at Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya in Galibeedu, submitted the request to K.N. Harish, the development officer of Kopp Gram Panchayat in Piriyapatna taluk. She asked the panchayat to restrict access to the riverbank and take measures to preserve the cleanliness of the Cauvery.
According to the report, people wash clothes in the river and leave पूजा materials, discarded clothing and soap covers along the bank. During rainfall, some of this waste is carried into the river, contributing to water pollution. Waste left near the bank has also caused an unpleasant smell in the area, the report said.
Shreesha requested the concerned departments and the gram panchayat’s administrative officials to install a gate at the entry point immediately. The measure, she said, would help protect the river’s cleanliness and sanctity.
Harish responded to the request and assured her that steps would be taken to install a gate on the route leading to the river. The report did not specify a timeline, design or budget for the proposed installation.
Speaking to Prajavani, Shreesha said she had been trying to create awareness among residents about the issue for the past two or three years. She said the gram panchayat and town panchayat had responded to the matter, but expressed disappointment that members of the public had not provided adequate cooperation.
The next step will be for the Kopp Gram Panchayat to implement the promised access-control measure and address the disposal of clothing, soap packaging and पूजा materials around the riverbank.
