Karnataka Lakes and NGT

Coming down heavily on the Karnataka government for failing to “protect and rejuvenate” Bengaluru’s Bellandur, Agara and Varthur lakes, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Thursday directed the State government to transfer ?500 croreto an escrow account.

The amount is to be utilised for execution of action plans to clean the water bodies. “The performance guarantee will undertake to pay a further amount of?100 crore for failure in execution of the action plan,” the NGT said.

A Panel to Monitor

What is the news?

Monitoring panel A panel, to be headed by former Supreme Court judge N. Santosh Hegde and comprising representatives from the CPCB, the State Pollution Control Board and T.V. Ramachandra of the Indian Institute of Science, would monitor implementation.

“The committee may oversee the timelines and the action plan, which may be prepared by the State of Karnataka or the BBMP,” the Bench said.

The Infamous Bellandur Lake of Bangalore

• Bellandur lake of Bangalore is highly infamous for frequently catching fire.
• Bellandur lake, has a toxic foam, which is caused by allowing untreated sewage water to flow into the lakes.
• The lake catches fire because of thephosphorus and oil on its surface.

About NGT

• NGT has been established under the National Green Tribunal Act 2010.
• It was established for the effective and expeditious disposal of cases relating to environmental protection and conservation of forests and other natural resources.
• The Tribunal is not bound by the procedure laid down under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, but shall be guided by principles of natural justice.
• The Tribunal is mandated to make and endeavour for disposal of applications or appeals finally within 6 months of filing of the same.

Members of NGT

• NGT currently has 10 expert members and 10 judicial members.
• The Chairman of NGT is required to be a serving or retired Chief Justice of a High Court or a judge of the Supreme Court of India.
• Members are chosen by a selection committee which was headed by a sitting judge of the Supreme Court of India that reviews their applications and conducts interviews.
• The Judicial members are chosen from applicants who are serving or retired judges of High Courts.