Karnataka's Amended Lake Buffer Zone Law Sparks Outcry from Bengaluru Activists
The Karnataka government's notification of an amended law that reduces lake buffer zones has ignited sharp criticism from activists in Bengaluru who are dedicated to lake conservation. The Karnataka Tank Conservation and Development Authority (Amendment) Act, 2025, replaces the existing uniform buffer zone of 30 meters around lakes with variable extents based on the size of the waterbodies, a move that has raised significant environmental concerns.
New Buffer Zone Regulations Based on Lake Size
Under the amended legislation, lakes with an area above 100 acres will continue to maintain the 30-meter buffer zone. However, the buffer will be reduced to 24 meters for lakes spanning 25 to 100 acres, 12 meters for those between 10 and 25 acres, 6 meters for lakes of 1 to 10 acres, and a mere 3 meters for waterbodies ranging from 0.1 to 1 acre. This tiered approach marks a significant departure from the previous uniform standard, prompting fears among conservationists.
Infrastructure Projects Permitted with Conditions
In addition to the changes in buffer zones, the amendment also permits the construction of roads, bridges, water supply lines, high tension towers, and other infrastructure within these areas. However, the law stipulates that permission for such construction can only be granted after ensuring that the original capacity of the tanks is not reduced, a provision that activists argue may be difficult to enforce effectively.
Activists Decry Government's Timing and Motives
Sandeep Anirudhan, convenor of the movement 'Bengaluru Town Hall', strongly criticized the government for notifying the amendment while the matter is still pending in the National Green Tribunal (NGT). The NGT had taken suo motu cognisance of the amendment and issued notices to the state government, adding a layer of legal complexity to the issue.
Anirudhan emphasized that this decision impacts not just Bengaluru's lakes but approximately 45,000 lakes across the entire state of Karnataka. He warned that in the long run, the reduction of buffer zones could lead to a severe food and livelihood crisis due to its adverse effects on agriculture and fisheries. He alleged that the decision was primarily driven to benefit the real estate mafia, stating, "Buffer zones protect lakes from the contamination that accompanies development. These zones also hold most of the green cover. Reducing this will render the lakes unusable in a few years. Small lakes will disappear."
Scientific and Hydrological Concerns Raised
Madhuri Subbarao, co-founder of Friends of Lakes, challenged the logic behind reducing buffer zones for smaller lakes. She argued that small lakes fill up much faster during intense rainfall, and the existing 30-meter buffer acts as a crucial safety shield, protecting nearby residents and infrastructure during breaches. "Reducing buffer zones based merely on size is not a scientific or hydrologically sound approach to conserving Bengaluru's fragile lake systems," she asserted.
Subbarao urged the government to address the lack of comprehensive planning instead of resorting to building roads, drains, and other infrastructure on buffer zones. She added, "Lakes cannot continue to be the casualties of unchecked development, nor should critical environmental decisions be made without transparent public consultation and ecological expertise guiding policy."
Impact on Specific Lakes in Bengaluru
A senior official from the Bengaluru Central city corporation provided details on the local impact, noting that there are only four lakes within the limits of the civic body: Ulsoor Lake (106 acres), Kaggadasapura Lake (47 acres), Kelagina Byrasandra Lake (12 acres), and Chickpet Byrasandra Lake (15 acres). Of these, only Ulsoor Lake will retain the full 30-meter buffer due to its size. Kaggadasapura Lake will have a 24-meter buffer, while the remaining two lakes will be reduced to 12-meter buffer zones, highlighting the direct consequences of the new regulations on urban waterbodies.
