Recently, the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) highlighted that the responsibility of protecting the Thippagondanahalli reservoir lies with urban development planning authorities like BDA and BMRDA. The board denied any involvement in safeguarding illegal structures within the reservoir’s catchment area.
The state government had questioned KSPCB’s actions, to which Chairman Shanth A Thimmaiah defended the board’s efforts over the past two decades in enforcing regulations. KSPCB has taken actions against non-compliant industries near the reservoir, issuing closure orders to several units.
The chairman emphasized that the onus is on BDA, BMRDA, and the Revenue Department to address violations in unauthorized layouts. KSPCB has not granted consent to any such layouts in the catchment area. The government’s stand on maintaining the 2003 notification or the newer one from 2019 is pending.
With the ongoing dispute over buffer zones, balancing development and conservation is crucial for Bengaluru’s growth. The government is expected to present its stance in court, considering the city’s evolving landscape.
Published on 20 May 2024, 01:22 IST