Bengaluru: To ensure implementation of the directions of the National Green Tribunal on lakes in the city, several people have come together to form a citizens’ watch committee.
Citizens for Bengaluru, Citizens Action Forum, Bangalore Apartment Federation and Namma Bengaluru Foundation will be part of the Nagarika committee. Members of the committee on Friday visited Bellandur and Varthur lakes along with local MP P.C. Mohan and MLA Arvind Limbavali.
The committee has demanded that all the city’s lakes be handed over to one government agency to streamline their rejuvenation and upkeep. This would help sort out the prevalent confusion as multiple agencies are responsible for maintenance of various lakes in the city.
Nine trucks seized
Police seized nine trucks and arrested eight persons on Thursday for allegedly dumping debris in Varthur Lake. One driver is absconding.
According to a senior police officer, many residents were complaining about encroachment of the lake. “We first checked what was happening before informing Commissioner of Police Praveen Sood and the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) police,” said the officer.
On Thursday night, the BDA and Varthur police nabbed the lorry drivers. They have been booked for criminal trespass, sections of the Karnataka Prevention of Destruction and Loss of Public Property Act 1981. “Apart from dumping debris, they were also leveling the ground,” said a senior police officer.
The police have decided to identify the people behind the racket.
