Saving the few lakes left: Is LDA upto the task?

Bengaluru: Over the years, the garden city of Bengaluru has lost most of its water bodies due to rampant encroachment and the indifferent attitude  of civic agencies such as the BBMP, BDA, LDA and KSPCB. But the recent order passed by the National Green Tribunal (NGT), to increase the buffer zone of all lakes in the city to 75 meters and ordering all authorities, particularly the Lake Development Authority (LDA), to carry out this operation in respect of all water bodies and lakes of Bengaluru, has stirred things up a bit. So the most significant question that arises is, can the LDA protect the few remaining water bodies in the city?

To begin with, the recent order by the NGT reads, "In the case of lakes 75m from the periphery the water body is to be maintained as a 'green belt' or 'buffer zone' for all existing water bodies, i.e. lakes and wetlands. This 'buffer' or 'green zone' will be treated as a no-construction zone for all intents and purposes. This is absolutely essential for the purpose of sustainable development, particularly keeping in mind the ecology and the environment of the areas in question. All authorities, particularly the Lake Development Authority, shall carry out this operation with respect to all water bodies and lakes in Bengaluru."

The Former Environment Secretary, Dr. A N Yellappa Reddy said, "The NGT has clearly ordered specific actions to be carried out, as the operational section of the order is quite clear. The Government must act immediately and prepare a clear-cut action plan including policy, required security and all concerned people like BDA, BBMP and other departments while carrying out the operation."

"The authorities must also take action against those granting permission to build on these wetlands." Meanwhile, many environmental experts including Dr. Yellappa Reddy feel that the short-staffed LDA should recruit more people to conduct the operation.