Karnataka yet to act on Green Tribunal order

Bengaluru: Nearly two weeks after the National Green Tribunal (NGT) passed a landmark judgement imposing a new buffer zone of 75 metres for lakes and wetlands, confusion and uncertainties shroud the order.

The NGT had directed the state government to submit a proposal to demarcate wetlands for all the lakes. Accordingly, the proposal has to be submitted within four weeks to the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF).

However, even two weeks after the order, no tangible steps have been taken by the state government on drafting the proposal nor is there clarity on which agency will carry out the demarcation process. 

Since the Central Wetlands Regulatory Authority mandates that demarcation of wetlands has to be carried out only by the Centre, it is not certain now whether the Central or state government authorities will demarcate the wetlands.

Lake activists in the city, who are working hard to ensure that the proposal is sent to the MoEF, maintain that it is imperative on the state government and the MoEF to carry out the demarcation work since the lakes survive because of healthy wetlands.

“Not all lakes may have wetlands, but major water bodies like Varthur and Bellandur lakes will have wetlands and it is important they are not encroached upon. With rampant construction taking place around lake areas across the city, we want the government to begin the process and curb wetland encroachment,” said a volunteer fighting to save Bellandur Lake.

Many volunteers said that their immediate agenda is to ensure that the demarcation process goes in the right direction. Maintaining that they have so far not heard of any developments in this regard, a member said, “The state government can only make recommendations to the MoEF, though it is a governing body. Since the demarcation has to be carried out jointly, the state government will not have any say in the process.”

Further, the activists are concerned that the inputs given by them and citizens may not get prominence in the demarcation process. “We are worried that we may not get a fair hearing as there are a few uncertainties on how the process will be carried out and who will be involved. However, we will fight for it until the process is completed,” activists maintained.   

Panel to submit report on encroachments
Following the NGT order on buffer zones, the Koliwad Committee on Tuesday decided to set up an expert committee of environmentalists, lake experts and others to assist the committee in removal of encroachments.

The expert committee will have to submit a report explaining how encroachments around Rajakaluves could be removed, including giving information on the removal of lake encroachments. 

Koliwad Committee member Suresh Kumar said, “A lot of emphasis has been laid on lake encroachment, while Rajakaluve encroachments are least spoken about. Stressing that the NGT order has to be strictly implemented, we have directed the officials to maintain green spaces around lakes and Rajakaluves. Around 50 metres around Rajakaluves will be buzzer zones too.”