Govt to seek review of NGT's buffer zone rulings

Karnataka is likely to file an appeal before the National Green Tribunal (NGT) seeking a review of the tribunal’s recent ruling, asking the government to deposit Rs 500 crore to rejuvenate the polluted Bellandur lake.

The government will also seek revision of the NGT’s landmark May 2016 ruling, barring construction activity within 75 m from the periphery of the water bodies.

Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara, in-charge of Bengaluru affairs, discussed the matter in a closed-door meeting with Water Resources Minister, D K Shivakumar, Law Minister, Krishna Byre Gowda, and other concerned officials.

Earlier this month, the NGT directed the state government to keep Rs 500 crore in an escrow account to implement an action plan to rejuvenate the Bellandur lake. The green bench also directed the government to pay Rs 50 crore to the Central Pollution Control Board, while asking the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike to deposit Rs 25
crore. Parameshwara told the meeting that the government had left no stone unturned in rejuvenating the Bellandur lake, and the government should apprise the NGT of all the facts in this regard.

It was also noted that the 75 m buffer zone was causing inconvenience to the public. “In Maharashtra, Delhi and other places, the buffer zone is 15 m. To maintain a buffer zone that is five times more in a city like Bengaluru is practically difficult. This has to be brought to the notice of the NGT,” Parameshwara said in the meeting.