Bengaluru: NGT raises concerns over pollution of lakes, censures KSPCB for inaction

In defiance of a National Green Tribunal (NGT) mandate, the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) has refrained from imposing fines or ordering the closure of industries that have been polluting lakes since 2017, as revealed by an RTI inquiry.

This information was sought by The Indian Express through the RTI application, which aimed to obtain a comprehensive account of the number of industries penalized or directed to cease operations due to their contribution to lake pollution in Bengaluru.

Over the past few years, the NGT has repeatedly admonished the state government authorities for their inability to safeguard the lakes from pollution.

In 2022, the NGT had imposed an environmental compensation fee of Rs 500 crore on the Karnataka government for its failure to protect Chandapura Lake from pollution, instructing the authorities to recover the amount from the transgressing industries.

In 2017, the NGT had ordered the Karnataka government to seal all industries situated in the vicinity of Bellandur Lake. However, the NGT, in its recent ruling on the damage inflicted upon Chandapura Lake, criticized KSPCB's lack of meaningful action against offenders and the absence of an evaluation of compensation for previous violations.

In accordance with the NGT's instructions, KSPCB was required to submit a report detailing the actions taken against both violators and negligent officials to prevent further pollution. Although the KSPCB did submit a report recently, the NGT found it to be inadequate.

In April of this year, the NGT reprimanded the KSPCB for its failure to take action against those responsible for polluting Chandapura Lake.