Karnataka Lake Conservation Efforts: Siddaramaiah Directs Officials to Act Quickly Against Private Encroachments
BENGALURU: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has issued a directive to officials to promptly clear areas of state lakes that have been encroached upon by private individuals. This decision was made during a meeting of the Karnataka Lake Conservation and Development Authority, which was presided over by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah at his residence, Cauvery, on Tuesday.
During the meeting, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah emphasized the importance of measuring the 10,710 lakes in the state that are currently pending measurement under various departments. He urged officials to complete the survey work within two months.
Officials provided information on the progress of survey work for lakes under the jurisdiction of departments such as Rural Development, Minor Irrigation, BBMP, Bangalore Development Authority, Major Irrigation, Forest, Revenue, and Urban Local Bodies. Out of the 41,875 lakes in the state, 31,033 have been measured, with 11,212 encroachments identified. Encroachments on 5,967 lakes have been cleared, while 5,245 lakes still require clearance.
The Minor Irrigation Department oversees 3,778 lakes, with encroachment clearance pending for 166 lakes. The BBMP has jurisdiction over 202 lakes, with 167 lakes already measured and encroachment clearance pending for 96 lakes. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah instructed officials from the Pollution Control Board to develop an action plan and propose the establishment of treatment plants to prevent lake pollution.
Furthermore, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah directed officials from the Fisheries Department to initiate online tenders to generate income from fishing activities in the lakes. He also instructed the formation of a technical committee to determine a buffer zone around the lakes.
Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, along with Ministers Bairati Suresh, K.N. Rajanna, Bhosaraju, Mankala Vaidya, and Rahim Khan, as well as CM Political Secretary Govindaraju, Chief Secretary Dr. Shalini Rajneesh, Additional Chief Secretary L.K. Ateek, BBMP Chief Commissioner Tushar Girinath, and other senior officials from relevant departments, attended the meeting.
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