Mangaluru: The Mangaluru Urban Development Authority (Muda) has prepared an action plan to develop eight lakes in Dakshina Kannada at an estimated cost of Rs 16 crore under the Funds 2 scheme of the authority.Major renovation work will be taken up on the Moorukatte lake in Kumpala of Ullal and Anekere lake in Mulki. The authority has reserved Rs 5 crore each to develop Moorukatte lake and Anekere lake, said Muda chairperson Santhosh Kumar Shetty.He said that Rs 2 crore has been reserved to develop a lake on 57 cents land at Harekala in Ullal. Further, Rs 1.4 crore will be spent to develop the Kodikere in Hosabettu ward of Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC). Funds have also been reserved to develop two lakes in Jappinamogaru, one each in Amblamogaru and at Devipura in Talapady, he said.Project execution will begin soon after a groundbreaking ceremony to be held in the presence of district minister UT Khader, Shetty said.Sadashiva Ullal, former chairperson of Muda, said Kumpala’s Moorukatte lake, also known as ‘Moorukattapalla’, which was once a vital water source for the region, is set for a major revival after years of neglect. Following a site survey and DPR completed last year, Muda sanctioned Rs 5 crore to restore the waterbody and develop basic public amenities alongside a new park. Currently, the lake remains unusable due to a lack of maintenance and accumulated debris and waste, he said.According to locals in Kumpala, the Moorukatte lake, which covers approximately two acres, can be developed if a proper plan is prepared. During the rainy season, debris from other areas flows and accumulates in the lake, polluting the water. Locals said the lake needs to be developed and protected at the earliest.In fact, a joint survey was conducted by the Rotary Club of Mangalore in association with educational institutions to develop the lake. However, Muda took up the project later.
