BENGALURU: The state government’s explanation to the National Green Tribunal that a cloudburst had caused Bellandur lake to froth has left environmentalists fuming.
IISc professor T V Ramachandra from Centre for Ecological Sciences, who was part of the panel that recommended measures to rejuvenate the lake, said, “All our recommendations can be implemented within 18 months. It has already been six months. Deweeding, removal of encroachment and preventing solid waste dumping were our recommendations. If cloudburst caused a lake to froth, why is it investing in cloud seeding?” he asked.
Urban expert Sanjeev Dyamannanavar, who has worked on Jakkur and Rachenahalli lakes, said, “When the SC first took up the matter, the officials were serious. But now, they are not serious anymore. BWSSB and BDA should shut down industries and stop car wash centres from discharging effluents into the lake.”
Karnataka State Pollution Control Board chairman Lakshman said, “We have shut down 113 industries out of 488. The rest are not water-based. We have done 800 plus inspections of STPs. We just have a few more to check.”
