BENGALURU: Recording assurance of the state government and the Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) that the Cauvery Aarati, scheduled for March 21 at Sankey tank, is purely a cultural event and not a commercial one, the Karnataka High Court directed authorities to ensure smooth public movement and maintain law and order.
The court made these observations while declining to pass any orders on an interlocutory application filed by Geetha Misra through advocate GR Mohan.
The petitioner contended that events planned as part of the Cauvery Aarati could disrupt birdlife at night and that any temporary or permanent structures erected in the buffer zone would violate environmental laws.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice NV Anjaria and Justice KV Aravind emphasised adherence to Section 12 of the Karnataka Tank Conservation and Development Authority Act, which outlines prohibitory acts within the tank area.
In response to the court’s query on legal compliance, Advocate General K Shashikiran Shetty, along with counsels representing the BBMP and BWSSB, affirmed that the event is a cultural gathering and not unprecedented, having been held at the same location in the past.
Meanwhile, the BWSSB’s counsel argued that the event aims to raise public awareness about the significance of water conservation. He cited Section 5 (13) of the Act, which mandates community and voluntary participation in tank development.
Stressing the need for greater awareness regarding responsible water use and conservation, he urged the court to recognise the event’s role in fostering public consciousness on these issues.