Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) officials conducted a mahazar (spot inspection) of lakes at Arekere, Madiwala and Hulimavu lakes here on Tuesday. KSPCB officials found that sewage had entered these lakes.
Under the provisions of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, mahazar was conducted after notices were issued by KSPCB on March 20 to heads of five civic bodies directing them not to discharge either the sewage into lakes and drains.
KSPCB had issued notices to the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA), the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB), the Lake Development Authority (LDA), the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) and the Karnataka Urban Water Supply and Sewerage Board (KUWSSB).
Notices to the civic bodies had been issued by KSPCB after a personal hearing on March 12 following a complaint by RTI activist Wg. Cmdr. G.B. Athri.
“Despite the directions from the board, during inspection it was observed that BWSSB, BBMP, BDA, LDA and KUWSSB have not prevented the entry of sewage into storm water drains and Arekere, Madiwala and Hulimavu lakes,” said the mahazar, signed by KSPCB Deputy Environment Officer D.P. Mahendra.
Samples were drawn during the inspection. The officials also affixed their signatures on the report (a copy of which is with The Hindu ) accepting the field observation while the report was prepared. Seven persons representing the public were present.
“Under Section 33 of the Water Act, this mahazar report will now be presented as charge sheet before a metropolitan or a judicial magistrate requesting the court to issue direction to these civic bodies to prevent pollution of lakes. The Act treats the mahazar report as recorded evidence, and this is for the first time that such an inspection has been taken up for prevention of water pollution,” said Wg. Cmdr. Athri.
