Banning the dumping of any kind of municipal solid waste around Bellandur Lake, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Wednesday directed immediate and complete shut-down of all industries around the water body.
A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar noted: “All the industries located in the vicinity of Bellandur Lake and discharging effluent are hereby directed to be closed. No industry is permitted to operate unless inspection by a joint inspection team is conducted and analysis of effluent is found to be within the permissible limits.’’
The green panel ordered the State Pollution Control Board to seal industries violating its directions. It also announced an environment compensation of ₹5 lakh on anyone found dumping waste in and around the lake.
NGT directed a committee comprising officials of BDA, KLCDA and UDD to oversee one-time cleaning of the lake in one month, including desilting, removal of all waste from the lake and surface cleaning. The bench directed all authorities to ensure that no untreated sewage enters the lake.
Namma Bengaluru Foundation, at the forefront of the fight to save the lake, on Wednesday announced the formation of a 10-member committee — United Bengaluru for Bellandur — comprising the petitioners, local residents and experts to ensure implementation of the NGT’s directions.
Apology by Law Department
Law Department officials apologised to the bench, which took exception to their interpretation of its May 4, 2016 order on buffer zones around lakes and drains. Officials from the UDD and BBMP promised to withdraw the circular based on the legal opinion that the NGT order was only prospective and not retrospective.
UDD officials said they would await a clarification from the NGT on the nature of the May 4 order.
