Lake activists slam Karnataka cabinet's move to shrink buffer zones

Time of India

5 days ago

Bengaluru: The Karnataka Tank Conservation and Development Authority (Amendment) Bill-2025 — approved by chief minister Siddaramaiah's cabinet, allowing construction activity close to lakes — has drawn flak from lake activists and environment enthusiasts.
"At a time when the govt is supposed to save waterbodies for the future, it is reducing lake buffer zones to pave the way for commercial and industrial activities," alleged an activist. Buffer zone is the empty space around the lake meant for flood control and environmental protection; construction activities are prohibited there. The amendment proposes the reduction of buffer zones from anywhere between 3 metres and 24 metres, depending on lake size.
The current parameter for buffer zone is 30m.
Defending the govt's move, minor irrigation minister NS Boseraju told TOI: "The proposal was submitted to the cabinet based on a recommendation from a committee headed by chief secretary Shalini Rajneesh. The committee submitted its report to the chief minister. The KTCDA Act provides for a 30m buffer zone around lakes. But in some of the districts, there are waterbodies spread over less than one acre or a few cents.
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If we allow a 30m buffer for such waterbodies, it will affect the necessary work. Hence, it was decided to revise the extent of buffer zone based on the area of waterbody."
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However, activists warned that such reductions threaten lake ecosystems, increase flood risks, and endanger biodiversity in Bengaluru and other parts of the state. With less than 5% of wetlands remaining in the city, activists alleged that the govt's move would serve the interests of real estate lobbies rather than the public.
They also said the bill is designed to legitimise large-scale encroachments under the guise of development.
Ram Prasad, co-founder of Friends of Lakes, told TOI: "The govt is trying to escape responsibility for buffer zone encroachments. All lakes have such encroachments, and instead of removing them, the govt is trying to legitimise them. The state govt is encouraging builders to construct bridges, roads, and support encroachments rather than removing them."
"Even in the KTCDA 2018 amendment, it says the same thing. The govt has always sided with encroachers rather than safeguarding lakes and improving environmental development. Siddaramaiah will go down in history as the CM who supported flooding and the death of the city's lakes," he added.
Madhuri Rao, a lake activist and co-founder, Friends of Lakes, said lakes are vital natural assets whose value extends beyond the surrounding community and open space.
"Bengaluru has witnessed numerous lake bund breaches and fishkills, often because the bunds were weakened by construction activity too close to the waterbody. A strong, adequately wide buffer zone is essential to protect these bunds, prevent breaches, and safeguard biodiversity.
Larger buffer zones also enhance the micro-island effect, helping to mitigate Urban Heat Island impacts," she said.
Jagadeesh Reddy, a member of Varthur and Bellandur Lakes Rejuvenation Initiative Committee, said, "This amendment is anti-people, anti-environment, and pro-encroachment. It will accelerate urban flooding, worsen the city's water crisis, and destroy what little biodiversity remains. We urge the govt to immediately withdraw this destructive proposal and instead focus on strengthening lake protection norms, penalising encroachers, and rejuvenating existing waterbodies.
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