Monitoring Committee report on Bellandur, Varthur and Agaram lakes, Bangalore, Karnataka, 15/02/2021
Monitoring Committee report to the National Green Tribunal in compliance of National Green Tribunal orders on Bellandur, Varthur and Agaram lakes.
The NGT in one of its orders had directed that steps be taken for de-silting and de-weeding. In pursuance to the court order, the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board had collected series of samples of silt/sludge. The CPCB has given a report for Varthur lake based on TCLP and STLC analyses of silt samples. As per the protocol based on TCLP and STLC analyses, the soil was non-hazardous and accordingly permission was accorded to BDA by KSPCB to dispose silt from the locations showed in the grid map based on local demand.
Order for desilting of Varthur lake has been issued and soil/silt/sludge samples have been collected from the lake bed areas and was analysed. The sediment analysis results based on the screening levels on soil quantity parameters prescribed for agriculture use have been examined by the CPCB. Based on the recommendations of the CPCB, the KSPCB issued a letter for disposal of the silt for agriculture and other uses.
Likewise, the lake bed pre level survey of Bellandur lake has been done. BDA has said that an area of 158 acres of Bellandur lake, silt has been removed and stocked and the stocked silt would be disposed as per protocol.
Further, KSPCB had identified 91 units for recovery of Rs. 271.50 crores, but no recovery has yet been made from the defaulting units.
Provision has been made for constructing wetlands in Bellandur and Varthur lakes. The Committee report informed the Tribunal that once the identified wetland area within the lakes were de-silted, wetlands would be developed.
Note: The Monitoring Committee report of February 15, 2021 was uploaded to the NGT site on March 10, 2021