BBMP for new regulations to remove lake encroachments

In what appears to be a move to give more teeth to the  anti-encroachment drive, the Palike has handed over the eviction process to the Bangalore Metropolitan Task Force (BMTF), while the prosecution process is to be handled by the Zonal Commissioners of the BBMP. Nearly 113 lakes had been handed over to the Palike by the State Government on September 19 2009. With the survey and demarcation of lakes almost complete, the BBMP is now likely to take up the task of removing the encroachments on these lakes.

As per the protocol, the Palike officials like the Assistant Executive Engineers and the Executive Engineers have been directed to prepare a list of encroachers after demarcating the boundaries of the lakes on the village maps and also the “demarcation of the encroachment on the village map.”

The protocol has been set up to keep a check on encroachments of lakes and is based on the laws prescribed under the Karnataka Public Premises (eviction of unauthorised occupants) 1974 and the Karnataka Land Revenue Act, 1964.

Without any notice

The process will then begin with the BMTF being given the task of taking possession of lakes that do not consist of any temporary or permanent structures like sheds, fencing, etc. The BMTF can take possession of the lake area without any notice by the BBMP.

But in cases where there is a presence of permanent or temporary structures that have to be removed by the BBMP, it will be carried in accordance with the legal process as per the above mentioned laws.

The Zonal Commissioners have been described in the Karnataka Public Premises (eviction of unauthorised occupants) 1974, section 2 (a) by the Revenue Department order as the competent officers to undertake the prosecution process for removing these encroachments, if any, on the 113 lakes.

Currently, the BBMP has, under its control lakes transferred to them by the Revenue Department, Forest Department, Minor Irrigation Department and the Zilla Panchayats.