NGT directs Karnataka govt to revisit policy on easing green nod for some projects

The National Green Tribunal directed the Karnataka government to revisit within one month its policy on exempting projects of less than 20 flats or 2,000 sq mt from taking permission from the state pollution control board under the Water (Prevention & Control Pollution) Act 1974.

“Preventing damage to the environment is an inalienable obligation of the state and good governance requires review of policies that result in unchecked and unregulated violation of environmental norms,” the principal bench of the tribunal, headed by its chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel, said while passing an order on a plea against illegal constructions in the buffer zone of Kudlu Chikka Kere Lake in Sarjapur, Bengaluru South taluk.

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KSPCB said that only buildings with less than 20 flats or 2,000 sq mt built-up-area are covered under the consent mechanism from the board under the Water Act.

Objecting to it, the NGT said, “The policy of exemption of projects from consent mechanism when they endanger the environment must be revisited.”