Mysuru: A group of environmentalists has urged the state govt to withdraw its plan to organise the traditional kambala race as part of the Mysuru Dasara celebrations. They contended that the event would dilute the festival’s unique heritage and place an additional burden on the city’s infrastructure and environment.The delegation, comprising environmentalists Bhanu Prashanth, Shailajesh and Parashuramegowda, on Tuesday submitted a memorandum to chief minister DK Shivakumar through additional deputy commissioner R Aishwarya.In the memorandum, activists said Dasara, renowned for its royal legacy, cultural traditions and religious significance, already attracts lakhs of visitors from across India and abroad. They argued that the inclusion of new events such as Yuva Dasara in recent years has led to severe traffic congestion, overcrowding, air and noise pollution, and mounting solid waste, overshadowing the festival’s distinctive character.The delegation maintained that kambala is an 800-year-old traditional sport native to the Tulunadu region, closely linked to local geography and religious customs. Shifting the event to Mysuru during Dasara, they said, would be culturally inappropriate and is opposed by sections of people in both Mysuru and the coastal districts.‘Introduce indoor programmes’Instead of introducing large outdoor spectacles, the activists suggested organising indoor programmes showcasing the art, literature and culture of different districts while giving greater opportunities and fair remuneration to local artists.The memorandum also questioned the timing of the proposed event, pointing to the prevailing dry spell in several districts due to delayed monsoon. The delegation said farmer organisations, environmental groups, pro-Kannada outfits, writers, artists and heritage experts would launch an agitation if the govt proceeds with the kambala during Dasara.BLURBThe activist argued that bringing around 400 buffaloes and nearly 20,000 support personnel to Mysuru, clearing vegetation across 27 acres to create a slush track, and using lakhs of litres of water during a period of scarcity would be environmentally and economically unjustifiable
