Stop construction of artificial island on Begur lake: Karnataka High Court

BENGALURU: The Karnataka High Court on Friday, August 30, directed the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) to stop the work for construction of artificial islands and related civil works without the permission of the court. The directions came post observing that construction of artificial islands within Begur lake is prima facie violation of guidelines issued by the court for protection of lakes.

The interim order was passed by a division bench comprising Chief Justice Abhay Shreeniwas Oka and Justice Mohammad Nawaz after observing an affidavit filed by Leo F Saldanha of Environment Support Group. The Environment Support Group has been allowed to be an intervener in a PIL filed by Citizens Action Group (CAG) about the plight of the city’s lakes and stormwater drains, through which the court is monitoring actions for the protection of lakes in the city.

In the affidavit filed, Saldanha said that the civil works were part the lake’s rehabilitation plan prepared by the BBMP’s lake wing. Further, he pointed out the historical significance of the lake which can traced back to Ganga dynasty.

As per a survey by the Environmental Management Policy Research Institute, the Begur lake have an area of 137.24 acres is heavily contaminated due to industrial and domestic sewage and it is found to be encroached and poorly maintained as per a survey by the Environmental Management Policy Research Institute of the State government. According to claims made by Saldanha in the affidavit, a few artificial islands are being built within the lake to make it a tourist destination as part of a rehabilitation plan. BBMP is also planning to install a very large statue of Shiva on one of the islands.