Experts raise red flag; governor Thaawar Chand Gehlot returns Karnataka tank buffer zone bill

BENGALURU: Governor Thaawar Chand Gehlot has returned The Karnataka Tank Conservation & Development Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2014, seeking clarifications from the state govt on its proposal to introduce area-wise buffer zones for waterbodies and allow construction of public utilities near those.

The governor returned the bill after objections were raised by civil society group Bengaluru Town Hall. Raj Bhavan's letter to the state govt, quoting experts, says the amendment to existing provisions "is in violation of the Constitution and affects citizen's right to water security and a healthy environment".

Raj Bhavan says govt has not consulted expert committeeThe amendment proposes variable buffer zones based on the size of waterbodies, with no buffer zone for those under five acres and only a three-metre buffer for lakes of five acres and more. It also seeks to permit public utilities such as roads, bridges, pump houses and sewage treatment plants within the buffer zones.Currently, Karnataka enforces a mandatory 20-metre buffer zone around all lakes and tanks.“The real requirement is about a 300-metre buffer zone to achieve ecosystem balance. If anything, the buffer zone should be increased, not decreased. The govt has not consulted the expert committee or the public about the implication of this amendment,” the Raj Bhavan letter stated.Saying that the govt isyet to receive any communication from the Raj Bhavan about the bill, minor irrigation minister NS Boseraju defended the govt’s stance, saying a uniform buffer is impractical.