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Time of India
19 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Bengaluru lake activists say shrinking buffer zone disastrous for tech capital
Bengaluru: Reducing the lake buffer zone in Bengaluru will only invite more urban flooding and increase dependency on outsourcing water from different sources, according to land and water experts. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Experts and lake activists have questioned the govt on why buffer zones should be reduced and are now asking Karnataka Conservation and Development Authority (KTCDA) to list the benefits of shrinking the buffer zone for the city. The Karnataka govt had recently approved Karnataka Tank Conservation and Development Authority (Amendment) Bill-2025, reducing buffer zones around lakes from the existing 30 meters to between 3 and 24 meters, depending on the lake size. Lake activists, while discussing the proposal during a public consultation organised at Bengaluru Town Hall, led by the actor and activist Prakash Belawadi, Saturday, feared the move will increase concretisation and shrink waterbodies further. Quotes TV Ramachandra, convener, IISc Environmental Information System Buffer zones or floodplains are vital as they absorb excess water, prevent flooding, and allow natural remediation. They should be kept green so that no construction is allowed, but instead of protecting them, we see them being choked, narrowed, and swallowed by vested interests, a move that will only worsen flooding and destroy Bengaluru's livability. V R Hegde, hydrologist Buffer zones around lakes and streams are hydrologically essential. Reducing them disrupts natural drainage, increases flood risk, and destroys ecological services these waterbodies provide. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Waterbodies are endowments from our forefathers, not our creations, and we have no right to demolish or vanish them. Shyam Prasad, founder and director of Clean Water Dynamics and hydrologist If we don't have buffer zones we will have shoreline erosion, fragmented infrastructure, poor water quality, sedimentation… It is really beyond me to understand who is coming up with further reduction of these zones. Prakash Belawadi, actor and activist We will be taking all the required inputs from experts and citizens to compile solid proof, data, and information to fight the proposed amendment in the near future
Time of India
29-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Lake activists slam Karnataka cabinet's move to shrink buffer zones
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. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Revitalise at Bali and Lombok's Top Resorts Epicure Asia Read More Undo 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." You Can Also Check: Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru 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. "
