Chronology of events of Movement_Ramling Temple

Chronology of events of Movement for restoration of dam of Ramling Temple

·        1990: Exploration of opportunities and sources of water storage.

·        1991: Awareness about the reservoirs like arranging exposure visits, site visits to people.

·        1991-92: BDDF/BZVV (No. 189/93-94) forum launched under the name and style of Bijapur Zilla Vikas Vedike.

·        1993: Issue taken up by the Rotary Club of Bijapur and the matter was briefed to Shri.M. Madan Gopal IAS, Deputy Commissioner Bijapur. The Deputy Commissioner of Bijapur was convinced for the need for restoration of Begum Talab. The said tank which was leased to the University of Agricultural Science Bijapur was revoked and made available for the developmental activities. The Begum Talab restoration committee was constituted. The minister for minor irrigation Dr.R.B. Choudhary ordered the renovation and restoration of two tanks namely, Begum Talab and Ramling Temple Tank with a budgetary provision of Rs.15,00,000/- for each tank renovation work.  The wok was launched by the minor irrigation department and about 55Tcu.m. Silt was removed which was given over to farmers for use. The Deputy Commissioner was not satisfied with the dept. of Minor Irrigation work.  A vigilance committee was instituted into the work.

·        1993-94 till 2005: Advocacy-Petitioning continued.

·        2005: The signs of HB work at the Ramling Site noticed and visited the site. Laying out of residential area was observed.

·        06.01.2006: Public Notification in Newspapers for public hearing.

·        06.02.2006: Public hearing at project: Ittangihal, Bijapur where BZVV opposed the project for following reason:

1.     Proponents did not take note of the status of protected Dam of Ramling Temple, the tnk bed and the catchment. The Ramling Reservoir is the balancing reservoir to the Bhutnal         rtayhis the balancing reservoir to the Bhutnal Tank, which is source of drinking water to Bijapur.

2.     Project commenced prior to public hearing and clearance from concerned authorities.

·        08.02.006: Press release by Deputy Commissioner of Bijapur charging encroachment.

·        17.02.2006: Why- Procedings of Public hearing

Now the questions:

1.     Role and motive of public authorities like- Presidents of ZP, CMC, Taluk Panchayat, DHO, EE(MI), ASI and Tehsildar in remaining absent?

2.     Why notices should not be served on these people who remained absent?

3.     Did the proponent get the final clearance from the Ministry of Environment and Forest, GOI and the Ministry of Environment  and ecology, Govt. of Karnataka to execute the project. If o when?

·        04.05.2009: Petition by BZVV to the KSHRC Bangalore for restoration of Ramling Temple Tank.

·        18.05.2009: Letter from Registrar, KSHRC seeking comments.

·        22.08.2009: The case listed as 2149/09 under KSHRC. Letter from Registrar, KSHRC sought comments of complainant BZVV. Hearing listed for 5.10.2009

·        13.08.2009: Reply from Shri. R. Shantraj Deputy Commissioner Bijapu to notice of KSHRC under No.2149/09.

·        05.10.2009: Comments of BZVV along with a copy of opinion of Minor Irrigation Dept. and photographs submitted to the KSHRC.

·        07.06.2012: Reminder appeal to KHRC by BZVV along with a copy of newspaper item on Supreme court order.

·        26.06.2012: Final order of KSHRC judgement dated 22.06.2012-

Accordingly DC was ordered to:

1.     Take necessary steps for removal of encroachment.

2.     Renovate Tank.

3.     Prevent sewage water flow and submit Action Taken Report within one month from the date of receipt of the order. Since then no action has been taken by the DC.

·        2012: Meeting in the DC’s Office regarding KSHRC order: No proceedings made only KHB people attended the meeting.

1.     Meeting with DC and site visit along with team of representatives from ASI, land survey and CMC.

2.     Follow up to the site visit ASI has put up warning boards regarding protected and prohibited area around the dam of Ramling Temple.

·        02.06.2012: Reminder Appeal regarding development of Ramling Tank submitted to DC Bijapur.

-         No response

-         Rampant work on commercial layouts in the progress which is causing damage to the protected structure.

·        15.09.2012: Engineers Day: Booklet on “Restoration of Ramling tank” released. Copy submitted to the DC Bijapur.

·        01.11.2012: A copy of the booklet submitted to the District in charge Minister Shri. S.K. Bellubbi

·        27.07.2013: Visit of Rajendra Singh to traditional water harvesting system structures Begum Talab, Ramling Kere.

·        02.08.2013: Discussion on Ramling tank in South India River Rejuvenation Policy Formulation Workshop at Bangalore.

·        08.08.2013: Meeting of V.Balasubramanian Rtd.Additional Chief Secretary and Chairman Task force on illegal  Land Encroachment Committee ,with D.C.Bijapur.

·        08.08.2013: Visit of A.T.Ramaswamy,Chairman Illegal  Land Encroachment Committee ,to Historical Sites.

·        10.08.2013:Visit to to Traditional  Water Harvesting System structures Begum Talab, Ramling Kere and Kalebag tanks by Shri.S.R.Hiremath SPS,Dharwad.

·        Presentation of the case of Restoration of Traditional water harvesting system structures of need for restoration in National Workshop on ‘Save Rivers and Ponds’at TBS’s office,Bheekampur Rajastan.

·        07.09.2013: Presentation of Case of Traditional water harvesting system structures of need for restoration at  the Public Hearing  on Indian Rivers in New Delhi

Traditional Water Resource Management Systems of Bijapur

Letter to Chief Minister in Janata Darshana 2

Letter to Chief Minister in Janata Darshana

Adilshahi ways of water storage

Monday 12 December 2011 

Adilshahi ways of water storage

Manjunath Sullolli

In the past, the Adilshahis made Bijapur a model city for reservoirs, water management and distribution systems. It was four centuries ago that they built the world famous monuments, gardens, water pavilions and reservoirs.

“In the name of god ‘Ramalinga’, the great Adilshahis of Deccan built the Ramalinga reservoir but today, this tank is on the verge of extinction. We will fight for its rejuvenation,” says Peter Alexander, a panel member of Bijapur district public hearing committee and president of Bijapur Vikas Vedike.

From the last two decades, he has been fighting to rejuvenate the historical tanks of Bijapur. The city has magnificent Islamic monuments, but is one of the most drought ridden and backward districts of the state. It has a long history of water scarcity.

In the past, the Adilshahis made Bijapur a model city for reservoirs, water management and distribution systems. It was four centuries ago that they built the world famous monuments, gardens, water pavilions and reservoirs.

Traditional water storage systems

But today, when water has become everybody’s business, we seem to have forgotten the old methods of water harvesting. There is an urgent need to reintroduce the water systems of Adilshahis.

The construction of ponds, tanks or reservoirs, hundreds of wells and water towers, together with water pipes, cisterns and aqueducts show how alive the Adilshahis were to the water scenario. But today, most of the tanks, reservoirs and wells have been encroached upon and polluted.

During the ‘70s and 80s, people here used Taj Bowdi and Chand Bowdi (wells) for drinking water. Today, the Taj Bowdi is polluted and is used as a tank for washing clothes. In 1982, the then deputy commissioner Gore tried to empty the Taj Bowdi and rejuvenate it. But all work was in vain. Today, most of the talabs or tanks are encroached upon for agricultural and housing purposes.

Bijapur, if historical records are to be believed, had a population of nearly 20 lakh four centuries ago. Today there are only three lakh people in the city. But a lack of technical and traditional knowhow about water management has meant that life in Bijapur has become a nightmare. But activists like Peter Alexander have not given up.

They have ensured that the government wakes up to the situation. It has sanctioned Rs 3.5 crore to de-silt the Begum talab and rejuvenate it for drinking water purposes.

Begum talab is so huge that it accounts for 300 acres, and could supply water to the city all year round if it filled up once. Apart from supplying drinking water, it also provided water to the immunerable fountains in the royal buildings and gardens. Today this talab is filled with silt around 30 to 40 feet. At present there are around 20 water gunjs (cisterns) each 30 feet deep.

Another neglected reservoir is Ramalinga tank, which has been encroached upon, and people have started using it for housing and agricultural purposes.

‘Save the Ramalinga tank’

There is not a single drop of water in the 500-acre Ramalinga tank, whose jack well is still in a very good condition. Water from the tank is meant to directly flow to the Bhoothnal tank, which is providing drinking water to the city at present. Though the Ramalinga tank belongs to the Archeological Survey of India, there are no proper land survey records.

Members of the Bijapur Vikasa Vedike have filed a writ petition and a public interest litigation to revive the tank. 

Proper Planning & Use of Natural source and Resources

Convention On Bio-Diversity SAARC 2014

Proper Planning & Use of Natural Source and Resources to  Avert Present Serious Threat to the Bio Diversity of Region. Presenting a Case Study of - The Historic City of Bijapur/BIJAPUR District -Karnataka –India

Humble submission at the backdrop of the 18^th SAARC Summit, 22-25 November 2014 in Kathmandu, Nepal.

Conference of the Asian Parliamentarians and CSOS on Post Sustainable Development Goals 2015.

Respected Dignitaries, Delegates and Members of the Press & Media Representing Various Communities of our blessed Earth Gifted to all of us present over here to extend our share of care and concern for our nature and wellbeing of all the living beings. ELLARIGU NAMASKAR, NAMASTE.

I am Peter Alexander; I am son of a farmer. Basically an Engineer specialized in Mechanical Engineering an Industrialist & representing Bijapur District N.G.O’s Federation, Biijapur Zilla Vikas Vedike (Bijapur District Development Forum), Karnataka State Development Forum and a past member Nominated by Government of Karnataka   for the District Environmental Clearance Public Hearing Committee of Bijapur- Karnataka. I have evinced interest in putting my humble efforts (Presently begging for mercy TO SAVE OUR NATURAL HERITAGE) for the larger interest and for the welfare of all the people.

“Vasu Daiv Kutumbakam” (The whole World is one Family).

 “Sarve Janaha Sukhino Bhavanthu” (Let all people live happily).

Our Nation India in the whole of the World has an Unique Culture and Heritage. The atmospheric conditions for almost all the variety of special Flora and Fauna did co-exist to create a very beautiful and blessed land for human development. Since time unknown it has a unique status of having a balanced Biodiversity by adapting the five basic elements formula of living beings i.e., (Punch Maha Bhooth) Like Water, Air, Earth, Fire and Sky. We had the best planning of water shed management and organic farming and the rich reserves of the forest. The Kings  also in the past did contribute for the welfare of its people in the most  fitting manner taking into account all the Natural aspects of its Topography and fixing locations for small reservoirs both for storage and distribution without the aid of power. Thus they maintained the ground water reserves and thereby creating uninterrupted water for drinking, irrigation, without taxing the people.

During the 14^th Century the city of Bijapur which was the head quarters of the Adilshahi’s Kingdom was planned by renowned engineers in a most scientific manner taking into account the welfare and wellbeing of all the people.  The role in planning the region was important factor for human habitat. With due consideration for the natural source which was available. (That is God given.) The resources were the people interested in the wellbeing and welfare of the people, the nature, the forest, flora and Fauna and the animals in the vicinity. It was during the rule of Adilshahi Dynasty, in Bijapur attained the Zenith of its prosperity. They built marvel reservoirs like etc.They had 52,000 horses, 1,40,000 infantry and 955 Elephants in their army. To cater to needs of the city they created a series of natural flowing lakes and water Reservoirs for example Dam of Ramaling Temple, Begaum Talab etc. which had ample storage of for the city’s needs and beautification and sufficient water table to facilitate dense lush green forest. It was said that the people had to carry a petro max during the day time. Such was the grandeur of the Natural Heritage during that time.   

Now the same region is water starved and people are forced to serious constraints having both the drought and floods at the same time causing serious threat to the bio diversity. The selfish means are trying to breach the conditions of nature to miss utilize the protected lands meant for its specific use. Thus the Natural Heritage sites like the catchment of lakes, reservoirs, tank beds, wells, botanical gardens, and the rich bio- diversity and the valuable lands which are all now being illegally exploited for selfish gains. There is serious threat to the underground water table. The water aquifers and aqua culture has g totally collapsed due to ineffective measures laid down by the irresponsible authorities causing serious catastrophe.

Most of the projects which are funded by the World Bank are   not echo friendly.

1)    The Alimatti Dam which has the largest rehabilitation and resettlement in the world which has resulted in submergence of large quantum of fertile lands. It is well known that big dam storages gradually turn into dangerous seismic zones resulting in earth quakes and Alimatti Dam has all this bad potential. A great set back to the bio diversity of the region.

2)    In same region a 4000 mega watt Coal based Thermal Power Plant is under processes  in the close vicinity of the rivers at the main irrigation dam which is hardly 15 Km. away from the power station. Which is located in a region which has rich flora and fauna, the agriculture, habitat which will be totally disturbed today, thus polluting the atmosphere and raise the temperature and cause unending hazards.

3)    Today the valuable Historical reservoirs lands, river beds, lakes, and ancient wells are misused for urbanizations, and the real estate business.

Holistic approach during the 15th Century. The Forests were considered to be the sacred temple of Lord Shiva. The God of the nature dwelt wherein all the creatures were all protected and nurtured, in fact it shows the Love of the nature. The people feared lord Shiva who had three eyes and the third eye, he would open only when he was very angry and would shower fire and that was the end of the world. Owing to these conditions people always had Great Reverence for God and the nature in the yester years.

 4) The reserved forest lands are in total danger due to the dilapidating ground water table. Now the forest reserves are hardly 3% as against 30% which is a serious threat to the bio diversity. The use of inorganic manure is causing serious damage to the soil causing serious health problems to the flora and fauna as also to the LIVING beings.

5) Now a days the microwave telecommunication towers due to high frequency waves has caused serious concern for the total extinct of the small bird species in the atmosphere and the habitat in general.

6)Presently our country  faces both the calamities’ together that is flood and drought together cause a serious havoc and people are put to serious loss of lives suicidal death and loss of properties due to improper planning and approach. It is said there is enough for our needs but not for our greed.

 Our nation has great history of its cultural heritage and expertise in managing its source and resources in the past with strict norms, conditions and a holistic approach in the whole of the universe. Even as our nation is a signatory to all the declarations there has been no effective measures which can be fruitful in implementing a healthy atmosphere for the well being of the people of this earth. In turn it has seriously endangered the human species (all the creatures) of the region located in India. We are seriously suffering due to lack of clean, adequate, portable drinking water. Thus causing serious water borne diseases and due to serious water contamination and pollution resulting in low age deaths.

Now what will be our role? How best to lay down norms and conditions so that they are enforced? And how they are enforced? Does the Global community monitor for the best, for the given conditions irrespective of state or the nation. Does the IUCN think of creating radical change in rejuvenating and restructuring of the past glorious memories of the Ancient India. For a better health environment, ecology and bio diversity.

The urgent planning and implementation of interlinking and underground lake water tapping of streams and rivers to have natural flow of water to maintain the ground water table to maintain and balance bio diversity of the region.

 CAN WE ALL TO GETHER BRING BACK THE SAME GRANDUER ESPECIALLY OF THE GREAT HISTORIC CITY OF BIJAPUR WHICH WAS AT PAR WITH CITY OF ROME WHICH HAS THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF WORLD FAMOUS MONUMENTS AND LIVING HERITAGE WHICH IS TO BE RESTORED.TO SET AN EXAMPLE TO SHOW TO THE WORLD THAT WE TOGETHER CAN MAKE THINGS POSSIBLE FOR A BETTER TOMMORROW. WE CAN COEXIST WITH MOTHER NATURE UNDER SUSTAINED DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME WHERE INDUSTRIALIZATAION CAN BE MADE ECHO FRIENDLY. I BEG THE STRONG WILL POWER OF ONE AND ALL TO SAVE THE UNIVRESE FROM A DISSASTREROUS END.

Thus owing to all the factors we need to safeguard each man’s livelihood, dignity, equality and for the marginalized sections of the society especially the dalits who need our special share of care in trying to make their lives worth living on this blessed Earth.

Thanking You

Yours in Service to Mankind

PETER ALEXANDER                                 JAI -HIND                                             

Final Order Dated 22-06-2012 in HRC No 2149_09

Adverse Statement of the DC Reg. KHB Layout_Ramling

State & Fate Of Bijapur Water and its Management 02

State & Fate Of Bijapur Water and its Management 01