Hit by the opposition to the demolition drive, Home Minister K.J. George on Tuesday said the State government would amend the Karnataka Lake Conservation and Development Authority Bill, 2014, to regularise the existing constructions on lake beds. These would cover lakes which had lost the characteristics of a water body.
He added that according to the N. Lakshman Rau report submitted to the government, out of 262 lakes in the city, 46 had lost lake-like characteristics while 81 still have lake-like features.
The government is examining the data to exclude lakes that have not been mentioned in the report from the ambit of the existing Act.
Replying to questions on demolitions, the Minister said many of the lakes are found only in government records. Constructions have come up on dead or non-existent lakes. Law Minister T.B. Jayachandra is holding talks with officials to amend the Act.
The demolitions of encroachments on lake beds are being executed in accordance with a High Court order. Mr. George said, “Stoppage of demolitions would result in contempt of court orders.”
