Basavanapura lake encroachment issue sorted out; HC disposes PIL

S Shyam Prasad | NT

Bengaluru: The High Court of Karnataka has disposed of a public interest litigation (PIL) which had sought for removal of encroachments and preventing pollution of the Basavanapura lake in Bengaluru.

Satisfied with the action taken by the State Government and the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike, the HC disposed the petition saying, “It can safely be said that the issue raised in the present public interest litigation is not only addressed to but there is also redressal of the grievance by BBMP and the State Government.”

The PIL was filed by a local resident AT Thangavelu who sought a direction to the authorities “not to allow any constructions by way of encroachment of lake bed and letting out sewage/ industrial effluents through the storm water drains into the tank situate in BBMP Limits of the Basavanapura Lake.”

The PIL stated that the lake which was 14 Acres 07 Guntas was re - duced to 12 Acres 13 Guntas. Following a direction from the Division Bench of Chief Justice Prasanna B Varale and Justice MGS Kamal the BBMP appointed the Assistant Director of Land Records to conduct a survey of the lake.

The survey was conducted in the presence of the Environmental Officer of the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB).”

The BBMP also filed an affidavit in the Court that stated “Encroachments on survey No.14 of Basavanapura lake identified by the Tahasil - dar, Bengaluru East Taluk are removed by BBMP. It is further stated that the Tahasildar and Taluk Surveyor had also issued notices and that encroachers had voluntarily removed encroachments and the land is now vacant.”

The BBMP submitted that the lake was rejuvenated and a fence was put up around it. A walking path was also built around the lake and it was ensured that there was no entry of sewage and trade effluents into the catchment. Another survey in the presence of the petitioner was also conducted.

“The memo filed on behalf of the respondent - State also reiterates the major aspects such as creation of the buffer zone, removal of encroachments and survey sketches prepared by the competent authorities,” the HC noted and disposed the PIL stating.

“As this public interest litigation has served its purpose and there is no further need to pass any order or direction, the writ petition is stands disposed of.” (WP 2458/2020)