NGT order on lake buffer zone echoes in BBMP council meeting

A month after the National Green Tribunal (NGT) passed an order redefining the buffer zones of lakes and the feeder canals (Rajakaluves), the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike council discussed the NGT order and the pathetic state of lakes and their feeder canals on Thursday.

Raising the matter in the council, Jayamahal Corporator M K Gunashekar, said, “There was no need for the NGT order had the Palike implemented Justice N K Patil committee report on conservation and protection of lakes in Bengaluru. The report suggested 30 metres buffer zones for lakes, the Congress corporator pointed.”

 He also sought to know whether the Palike has filed an interlocutory application or impleading in the case challenging NGT order in the Supreme Court. Also, he enquired about the action against those who have constructed buildings in the buffer zones of lakes and Rajakaluves. In reply, BBMP Commissioner N Manjunath Prasad said, “The NGT order was passed on May 4, and the following day, a circular was issued directing all the joint commissioners, town planning officials, chief engineers, superintending engineers and executive engineers, to strictly abide by the NGT order.

He, however, pointed out that there is some ambiguity in the order and the BBMP has sought  clarification from the Law department. Prasad said, “The state government will abide by the order. But there is a need for some clarification on the status of the sanctioned building plan, where the construction is yet to start but the structures are within the buffer zone of the lakes or Rajakaluves. There is another case where the buildings have come up but the occupancy certificate has not been given.”