K’taka govt to file review petition to reduce buffer zone for lakes, ngo opposes

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Namma Bengaluru Foundation, a Bengaluru-based non-profit organisation working on civic issues, said it will defend any attempt made by the Government of Karnataka to modify NGT orders on the


buffer zone and the rejuvenation of lakes. The organisation, which was set up by BJP MP Rajeev Chandrasekhar, had earlier impleaded itself in the Bellandur lake case. The state government


on Thursday had decided to move the green court to reduce the buffer zone following a meeting between Deputy Chief Minister and Bengaluru Development Minister G Parameshwara, Law Minister


Krishna Byre Gowda, Water Resources Minister DK Shivakumar and other officials concerned. The government will also file a review petition opposing the December 6 order asking the government


to park Rs 500 crore in an escrow account to be used for the rejuvenation of Bellandur lake. Following the meeting, Parameshwara had said, “In Maharashtra, Delhi and other places, the buffer


zone is 15 metres. To maintain a buffer zone that is five times more in a city like Bengaluru is practically difficult. This has to be brought to the notice of the NGT.” Reacting to this,


Suresh NR, Head of Namma Bengaluru Foundation, said, “Instead of devising a plan and strategy to rejuvenate Bellandur lake as per the NGT’s recent order, the Government of Karnataka has


decided to expend its energy in filing a petition to review the order to transfer Rs 500 crore in an escrow account for the purpose of rejuvenating Bellandur Lake.”