GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

RAJYA SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1643

TO BE ANSWERED ON 31.07.2017

Encroachment of networks of lakes in Bengaluru

1643. SHRI RAJEEV CHANDRASEKHAR:

Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to state:

(a) Whether the extensive network of lakes in Bengaluru critical for maintaining environment and water-table is being rampantly encroached, filled up and is a destination for releasing effluents; and

(b) If so, whether Government would ensure that these lakes are notified as wetlands as mooted by Karnataka Lake Conservation and Development Authority?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

(DR.HARSH VARDHAN)

(a) & (b) The lakes in Bengaluru have been impacted due to rapid urbanization, industrialization, anthropogenic pressures and discharge of untreated wastewater on account of inadequate treatment facilities, resulting in degradation of water quality and decrease in water table of these lakes. It is the responsibility of the State Government/concerned local bodies to set up proper facilities for collection, transportation and treatment of sewage being generated and ensure that untreated sewage does not fall into the lakes thereby polluting them and no encroachment in the lakes.

All the States including Karnataka have been advised to constitute State Wetland/Lake Authorities under the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2010. The Government of Karnataka has already constituted Karnataka Lake Conservation and Development Authority under the Rules.

********