Bellandur lake: NGT raps government for apathy
BENGALURU: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Wednesday ordered show-cause notices to various state government agencies as well as the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) on the recent outbreak of fire in Bellandur lake.
The government agencies have been given a fortnight to tell the Tribunal why they should not be prosecuted under the Environment Protection Act and pay a compensation. Notices were sent to the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board, Karnataka Lake Conservation and Development Authority, Bangalore Development Authority, Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board and CPCB.
The Tribunal observed that it was “surprised“ at the apathy prevailing among authorities towards the rejuvenation of the Bellandur lake.
Heavy smoke engulfed the Bellandur lake last week. Authorities suspect the fire was caused due to industrial effluents with high flammability (hydrocarbons) reacting with dry grass.Residents living near the lake informed ET that flames and smoke were common due to frequent burning of debris and garbage near the lake and that the matter was raised with the authorities several times.
Taking suo motu cognisance of the fire, the NGT also directed the government to file an affidavit on the steps taken to comply with its May 2016 ruling on buffer zones around lakes.According this ruling, construction activity within 75m from the periphery of water bodies, 50m from the edge of primary rajakaluves, 35m from secondary rajakaluves and 25m from tertiary rajakaluves is barred.
Meanwhile, the Tribunal allowed the Namma Bengaluru Foundation (NBF) to implead in the suo-motu case.
“The Bellandur lake has been frothing for years now and last week's fire is proof that the government has been sitting on the poisonous lake without acting upon it,“ NBF chief executive Sridhar Pabbisetty said.
The KSPCB is awaiting lab report of the water samples to understand the exact cause of the fire. “Meanwhile, we have informed the Tribunal that we are monitoring the lake. We've submitted that we issued notices to BWSSB on untreated sewage flowing into the lake and that cases were slapped against 14 apartments near the lake,“ chairman Lakshman said.
According to KLCDA chief executive G Vidya Sagar, tenders have been floated to take up de-weeding and desilting of the lake. While the Tribunal was unhappy over recent developments, it did appreciate the steps that are being taken, he added.
The government agencies have been given a fortnight to tell the Tribunal why they should not be prosecuted under the Environment Protection Act and pay a compensation. Notices were sent to the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board, Karnataka Lake Conservation and Development Authority, Bangalore Development Authority, Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board and CPCB.
The Tribunal observed that it was “surprised“ at the apathy prevailing among authorities towards the rejuvenation of the Bellandur lake.
Heavy smoke engulfed the Bellandur lake last week. Authorities suspect the fire was caused due to industrial effluents with high flammability (hydrocarbons) reacting with dry grass.Residents living near the lake informed ET that flames and smoke were common due to frequent burning of debris and garbage near the lake and that the matter was raised with the authorities several times.
Taking suo motu cognisance of the fire, the NGT also directed the government to file an affidavit on the steps taken to comply with its May 2016 ruling on buffer zones around lakes.According this ruling, construction activity within 75m from the periphery of water bodies, 50m from the edge of primary rajakaluves, 35m from secondary rajakaluves and 25m from tertiary rajakaluves is barred.
Meanwhile, the Tribunal allowed the Namma Bengaluru Foundation (NBF) to implead in the suo-motu case.
“The Bellandur lake has been frothing for years now and last week's fire is proof that the government has been sitting on the poisonous lake without acting upon it,“ NBF chief executive Sridhar Pabbisetty said.
The KSPCB is awaiting lab report of the water samples to understand the exact cause of the fire. “Meanwhile, we have informed the Tribunal that we are monitoring the lake. We've submitted that we issued notices to BWSSB on untreated sewage flowing into the lake and that cases were slapped against 14 apartments near the lake,“ chairman Lakshman said.
According to KLCDA chief executive G Vidya Sagar, tenders have been floated to take up de-weeding and desilting of the lake. While the Tribunal was unhappy over recent developments, it did appreciate the steps that are being taken, he added.
