Bengaluru: CAF to approach NGT to stop flow of raw sewage into lakes

Bengaluru: With the National Green Tribunal (NGT) recently ordering civic bodies to close down industries polluting Bellandur Lake, the Citizens' Action Forum is planning to approach the green tribunal seeking directions to stop the flow of raw sewage into not only Bellandur lake but also all other water bodies in the city.

It was only after CAF that approached the NGT on the steel flyover issue as a co-petitioner along with former Karnataka chief secretary Balasubramaniam that the state government shelved the controversial project.

The citizen group, with the help of lake activists, resident welfare associations (RWAs) and NGOs, is gearing up to get the civic bodies fall in line with an NGT order to stop the flow of sewage into lakes.

CAF president D.S. Rajashekar told Deccan Chronicle, "The city, once famous for its lakes, has now become infamous for the same lakes. Where is the Garden City heading to? Letting raw sewage into lakes is a criminal offence. If the BWSSB, which is the custodian, cannot treat sewage then why should we have the board in the first place?"

Pointing to the state government attitude on the steel flyover project, he said, "A similar interference by NGT is needed to save our dying lakes."

The CAF will rope in RWAs, lake activists and others, to approach the NGT with detailed data on lakes in the city and how they have been led to an eventual death because of the mixing of untreated sewage with lake waters, he said.

"The government and its officials wake up only when the bomb starts ticking. Alarm bell is already ringing for Bellandur and Varthur lakes. Soon, all the lakes in the city will reach the same poor condition if no significant action is taken. Our intention is to avert this future crisis with the help of NGT," he said.