Mysuru: Boating at city’s iconic Karanji Lake has been stopped much before the start of summer this year due to drastic dip water level.Boats are not ferrying tourists from the last four days and they have been brought to the shores. According to authorities, all these years, such a situation was witnessed only at the end of summer; however, poor rainfall during last year’s monsoon resulted in this crisis. As expected, visitors to the lake are disappointed by this crisis.Speaking to TOI, Ajit Kulkarni, director of the zoo, confirmed that boating has been stopped for the last four days. “A certain depth of water is required for boating. But with the drastically depleting water level, boating has been cancelled for time being,” he said.According to authorities, the major source of water for the lake is rain water from Chamudi Hills. “But in 2018, water from the hills didn't reach the lake as there was no good rainfall at all. As a result, the water level in the lake was low in the monsoon season itself. Even in the worst drought years, boating was cancelled only at the end of the summer season. But this year, we are facing water crisis in February itself,” explained another officer privy to the development.Meanwhile, visitors also allege that the number of migratory birds have come down in the lake due to various reasons, including fishing activities, and increased human intervention.Usha Kiran, a tourist from Kerala, said all these years Karanji Lake was filled with migratory birds till March. “But now the number has come down. Poor water quality and bad odour from the lake drives away the tourists too,” she said.But Kulkarni said he was not aware of any drop in the number of migratory birds. “A study is required to analyse this situation,” he said.According to wildlife photographer and activist B S Kiran Bagade, human intervention in lakes is a common problem both in Kukkarahalli and Karanji. “Activities like fishing and boating disturb the migratory birds. There is need to stop human intervention,” he said.BoxAccording to Somasekhar, naturalist and former education officer of the zoo, from the last 10-12 years, many migratory birds have stopped visiting the lake due to various reasons. “Reasons can be attributed to various morning activities like clapping, laughter club, poor quality of water etc. Fish harvesting is another concern. All these have resulted in migratory birds moving away from this lake. Those birds which can be seen at other lakes are not found here,” he said.

Stay updated with all the Latest Mysore headlines here. For more exclusive & live news updates from all around India, stay connected with NYOOOZ.