National Green Tribunal forms panel to inspect Bengaluru lakes
BENGALURU: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) expressed displeasure with the State’s report regarding cleaning of Bellandur, Agara and Varthur lakes, at a hearing here on Wednesday.
In addition, observing that no actual action had been taken, the Tribunal formed a committee - comprising advocates, scientists and officials of civic bodies - to inspect Bellandur Lake.
The case was taken up suo motu by the NGT following reports of high levels of toxicity of the lake’s waters and production of large amounts of froth.
On Wednesday, the state submitted a report on action taken to clean the three lakes. The Tribunal observed that the report was bereft of any material information and actual action taken and termed the information in it as insufficient and incorrect.
It then appointed a commission to inspect all three lakes. The Commission comprises senior advocate Raj Panjwani, a junior advocate nominated by Panjwani, a professor from Indian Institute of Science (IISC), Bengaluru, Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) commissioner, a senior scientist from Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the CEO of Karnataka Lake Conservation and Development Authority (KLCDA), and a member secretary of Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB).
The commission has been tasked with inspecting records of all fire incidents in lake until April 10, 2018, find the extent of the lake covered by macrophytes and the rate of their removal, extent of sewage and municipal solid waste being dumped, extent of silt and other deposits and their depth, extent of availability of treatment plants around lakes, and to check whether the apartment complexes around lakes have obtained Occupancy Certificates.
No Fires In Lake After January: Bda Official
The Tribunal questioned the State why a fire had broken out in the lake a few days ago. BDA Superintendent Engineer Nagaraj said this was not the case, and no fire had broken out in the lake since January 19, 2018. His statement was recorded and Tribunal directed the State to verify the same.