A rally of REVA electric cars was conducted in the city on Sunday to celebrate Earth Day-2001. The rally was flagged off from the Windsor Manor. It was conducted jointly by the Maini Group, the Windsor Manor hotel and the Karnataka pollutiion board.

Speaking on the occasion, Maini groups chairman Sudarshan K. Maini said the air quality in Bangalore was deteriorating due to an increase in the number of petrol and diesel automobiles plying in Bangalore. In addition to the air pollution, garbage disposal was not being satisfactorily done and this was contributing to the pollution of ground water.

Mr. Maini said organisations like business and industrial establishments, educational institutions, social clubs and individuals like government officers, religious leaders, film personalities and the media can contribute substantially to improve the environment in Bangalore.

Environmentalist Suresh Heblikar said that the city had earlier had 117 lakes which were providing drinking water to the city.

This number has now been reduced to just 30 lakes, he said. An effort should be made by the citizens and the government to conserve the lakes, prevent them from being enroached upon and see that they are not polluted, Mr. Heblikar further added.

Retired justice Bopanna, Mr. Narasimhan of the Confederation of Indian Industries, IEE chairman Dr. Narayan Swamy and Ms. REVA Maini were present on the occasion.

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