Bill to reduce buffer zones of smaller lakes passed amidst Opposition walkout

The Karnataka Legislative Council on Wednesday adopted the Karnataka Tank Conservation and Development Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which seeks to reduce the size of buffer zones for the smaller water bodies, amidst a walkout staged by the Opposition members.

Opposition members led by Chalavadi Narayanaswamy demanded that the Bill be referred to a Joint House Committee for a detailed study.

Presenting the Bill, Minor Irrigation Minister N.S. Boseraju explained that so far, regardless of a lake’s size, a uniform 30-metre buffer zone was mandated. This had caused difficulties for people in districts like Mangaluru and Udupi, where land could not be used for public purposes. Therefore, the amendment proposes buffer zones based on lake area, measured from the revenue boundary.

With prior approval, certain public works such as parks, roads, bridges, power lines, water supply pipelines, sewage lines, jackwells or pump houses, STPs, stormwater drains, and small canals may be permitted in the buffer zone, provided they do not obstruct the inflow or outflow of water. However, no commercial, entertainment, or industrial activities will be allowed. The Bill also provides for forming committees, including local residents, to protect lakes, he said.

However, the Opposition accused the government of rushing through the Bill under pressure from the real estate lobby. They argued that several reports on encroachment of lakes in Bengaluru by Lakshman Rao, A.T. Ramaswamy and K.B. Koliwada should be studied first. The BJP insisted that the Bill should be referred to a Joint House Committee, but the government did not agree, prompting the walkout.

Mr. Narayanaswamy said it was wrong to destroy lakes in the name of conservation. Instead of reducing the size of buffer zones, they should be increased, lake desilting should be implemented, and encroachments on stormwater drains should be removed. He expressed concern that reducing the buffer zone size would benefit traders and real estate developers.

BJP member C.T. Ravi called the Bill “unscientific,” particularly in the context of Bengaluru. He questioned whether Lakshman Rao, A.T. Ramaswamy, or K.B. Koliwada reports had recommended reducing the size of buffer zones. He added, “When our party was in power, even though people accused us of carrying suitcases [a reference to corruption], we never did such things. Now, seeing this Bill, one wonders if suitcases are doing the rounds again.” 

Other bills passed

The Council also adopted several other Bills that were adopted in the Assembly. These include the Karnataka Platform Based Gig Workers (Social Security and Welfare) Bill, 2025; Karnataka State Civil Services (Regulation of Transfer of Medical Officers and Other Staff) (Amendment) Bill, 2025; The Karnataka Compulsory Service by Candidates Completed Medical Courses (Amendment) Bill, 2026; The Karnataka Town and Country Planning and Certain Other Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2025; The Karnataka Municipal Corporations (Amendment) Bill, 2025; The Karnataka Decriminalisation (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2025; The Karnataka Medical Registration (Amendment) Bill, 2025; Karnataka Essential Services Maintenance (Amendment) Bill, 2025; Karnataka State Universities (Amendment) Bill and the Karnataka Groundwater (Regulation and Control of Development and Management) (Amendment) Bill.