State govt to seek review of NGT order on lake revival

Belagavi: The Karnataka government on Friday, December 14 decided to appeal against the National Green Tribunal (NGT) against their order asking Karnataka Govt. to deposit Rs.500crores in an escrow account for the clean-up of  Bellandur lake.

Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara held a meeting at Belagavi on the issue with the law and parliamentary minister Krishna Byregowda, Water resources minister DK Shivakumar and BBMP commissioner.

Addressing pressperson, after the meeting, Parameshwara informed that the government has decided to file the review petition as it’s not in any position to deposit Rs 500 crore with the tribunal.  He further added that the Karnataka government respects the decision taken by the tribunal.

The state has been making all efforts to revive and protect the lakes, which the Tribunal will be apprised of, he said

“Several people have built their homes around the lakes and it will be practically difficult to have a 75m buffer zone as it will have grave implications, the state will bring these issues to the notice of the Tribunal,” he added.

The NGT  had recently imposed Rs 50 crore penalty on state government and Rs 25 crore to BBMP for their failure to restore Bellandur and Varthur lakes in the city’s southeast suburb. Is also asked the government to set aside Rs 500 crore for the rejuvenation of the lake.