The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has taken suo motu cognizance of the deteriorating condition of 12 lakes in Bengaluru.
The petition is registered suo-motu on the basis of the news item dated 16.09.2024.
As per the news item, BBMP’s Sewage Treatment Plants at 15 lakes across the city are not effective in improving the water quality of these lakes. Despite the installation of Sewage Treatment Plants, 12 lakes have recorded poor water quality multiple times over the past 31 months. The Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) reports that nine out of those twelve lakes were classified under the worst water quality category (Class E) on more than four occasions. Uttarahalli Lake had the worst water quality on 16 occasions.
The news item highlights that many lakes are on the brink of ecological collapse. High levels of pollution are evident, with various lakes showing water quality far below acceptable standards. Furthermore, it is alleged that these STPs are not maintaining the desired water quality, with incomplete water quality reports and inconsistencies in the parameters tested. For instance, crucial parameters like fecal coliform, ammoniacal nitrogen, and total nitrogen were missing in several reports. High levels reflected in the reports can lead to eutrophication, harmful algal blooms, and decreased dissolved oxygen, which are detrimental to aquatic life.
The news item raises substantial issues relating to compliance of the provisions of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974; Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017 and Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
“Power of the Tribunal to take up the matter in suo-motu exercise of power has been recognized by the Hon’ble Supreme Court in the matter of “Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai vs. Ankita Sinha & Ors.” reported in 2021 SCC Online SC 897.”
Hence, the Principal Bench of Justice Prakash Shrivastava, Justice Arun Kumar Tyagi and Expert Member Dr. A. Senthil Vel impleaded the following as respondents in the matter:
1. Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB), Through its Member Secretary.
2. Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Through its Member Secretary.
3. Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF).
4. Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), Through its Chief Commissioner.
5. Karnataka Wetland Authority, Through its Member Secretary.
6. District Magistrate (Bengaluru).
The Bench issued notice to the Respondents.
Since the matter relates to the Southern Zonal Bench, Chennai, therefore, the Bench transferred the matter to the Southern Zonal Bench for appropriate further action. Office is directed by the NGT to transfer the original record to the Southern Zonal Bench and the matter is listed on 02.12.2024.