Law to protect river basins soon: Govt tells HC

The State government on Friday submitted an action plan to the High Court on the methods it would adopt to remove the encroachments around Thippagondanahalli reservoir and catchment areas of Arkavathy and Kumudwathi rivers.

During the hearing of a petition seeking clear encroachments on water bodies, Additional Advocate General S Kantharaj submitted that the government would soon draft the Karnataka Arkavathy and Kumudwathi Basin Conservation and Development Bill, 2014, for rejuvenation of the rivers. 

He said that several of the encroachments had been removed and notices issued to some more encroachers. A seven-member committee headed by Additional Chief Secretary V Umesh was constituted to monitor the drive against encroachments in zone-III of Thippagondanahalli reservoir catchment area.

Justice A N Venugopala Gowda was satisfied with the reply and directed the government to monitor the work every 15 days. The matter was adjourned to April 11.

‘Why not close KSPCB’

The High Court on Friday sought to know that why it cannot close down the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board.

During the hearing of a public interest litigation filed by Malleswaram Residents’ Welfare Association, a division bench comprising Chief Justice D H Waghela and Justice B V Nagarathna observed that the board was not discharging its duties.