NGT orders immediate closure of industries near Bengaluru lake

Slamming the local civic bodies for inaction, a bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT), headed by chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar, on April 19, 2017, directed the closure of all industries located in the vicinity of Bellandur Lake and discharging effluents. “No industry is permitted to operate, unless an inspection by a joint inspection team is conducted and analysis of the effluent is found to be within the permissible limits,” the bench, which also comprised Justice RS Rathore, said.

The green panel ordered the State Pollution Control Board, to seal the industries which are violating the directions. The bench also banned dumping of any kind of municipal solid waste around the lake and announced an environment compensation of Rs 5 lakh, on anyone found dumping waste in and around the lake.

See also: Centre makes sewage treatment mandatory to save Bengaluru’s dying lakes

The tribunal had, on April 18, 2017, taken objection to a legal opinion by the state government, while interpreting its May 4, 2016 order that had increased the buffer zone of lakes from 30 metres to 75 metres in Bengaluru. Earlier, the NGT had lashed out at the Karnataka government and its agencies responsible for maintenance of the Bellandur Lake, asking them why they should not be prosecuted for negligence, following the outbreak of a fire in the waterbody. It had earlier issued a notice to the Union Environment Ministry, the Karnataka government, Lake Authority of Bangalore, the State Pollution Control Board and the Central Pollution Control Board, in the case.

On February 20, 2017, the NGT had taken suo motu cognisance of media reports and photographs of the incident in which a fire broke out in the Bengaluru lake. “It is reported that there were thick clouds of smoke, which severely hit traffic and people living around the lake. It is also reported that usually a pile of garbage around the lake is set on fire and there was total panic. Undoubtedly, such emissions are bound to be have an adverse impact on the environment, ecology and human health. It is a matter that requires serious investigation, remedial measures and restoration of the lake to its original wholesome status,” it had said.

A thick cloud of white smoke persisted in the air around Bellandur Lake in Bengaluru, after the blaze in a garbage mound around it on February 16, 2017.

By: Housing.com/news