The Karnataka government was fined Rs 500 crore by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) for failing to preserve Chandapura lake in the Anekal taluk and take action to get the water body restored. The NGT took a suo moto cognizance to examine the facts regarding the violation of Chandapura Lake’s buffer zone and solid waste management guidelines.

“The state has failed to protect the environment and provide a clean environment to citizens…Lake ecology and the ecosystem have hugely suffered. The state is thus, to be held liable to pay environmental compensation and to restore the ecosystem,” the NGT said in its October 10 order.

The NGT stated that the lake’s water quality has declined. It further said that there were “illegal encroachments and construction activities and unchecked violations of environmental norms by the industries”, and pointed out the authorities’  “failure to protect and regulate buffer zones and catchment areas of the lake and to control pollution”.

“Though the chief secretary has issued directions, there is no meaningful compliance in the form of restoration of the damage already caused. No accountability has been fixed for the violations which have already taken place nor compensation is shown to have been recovered from the polluting industries,” the tribunal said. In its order, the NGT stated that the state had not provided information on the amount of sewage discharged into the lakes and said that a more proactive response from the government’s side is expected. 

“With available data, best judgment assessment is being made about the estimated cost of restoration measures even on a conservative approach. However, if the amount is not found to be adequate, the state will be liable to provide extra funds. If the amount is found to be surplus, the same may be utilized by the state for restoration measures as per district environment plans of the concerned districts. It is a matter of common knowledge that there is general degradation of the environment and a much more proactive approach is expected from the state,” the NGT said.

The state government was further directed by the NGT’s principal bench to consider biological measures including plantation/reforestation of suitable trees, shrubs, and grass in consultation with the state forest department as part of its restoration measures. It also included a list of possible engineering measures.

The NGT had formulated a joint committee comprising the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB), the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA), the National Wetland Authority, the State Wetland Authority, and the District Magistrate, Bengaluru, to ascertain the facts surrounding the violation of the buffer zone and solid waste management regulations at Chandapura Lake.