Namma Bengaluru Foundation (NBF) and Forward Foundation, the lead petitioners in the Agara-Bellandur Lake case, on Thursday hailed the National Green Tribunal (NGT) verdict saying it was victory for Bengaluru.
Expressing gratitude to citizens, Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) and citizen groups for winning the battle against the illegal execution of large commercial projects coming up between Agara and Bellandur lakes, the members said the verdict against the builders stood testimony to the power of collective citizen action.
Addressing the media, NBF CEO Sridhar Pabbisetty said, “At a time when Bengaluru is losing its lakes to vested interests, the NGT’s landmark judgement comes as a shot in the arm for all those who have striven hard to release the city from the clutches of haphazard growth.”
The NGT had recently slap-ped a fine of Rs 130.5 crore on Mantri Tech Zone and Coremind for encroaching the wetland of Agara and Bellandur lakes. The Principal Bench NGT, New Delhi, had also directed the state government to demolish all existing constructions falling within buffer zones of lakes and Rajakaluves (feeder canals of lakes) in the city.
