Bengaluru: With lakes disappearing fast and lake beds being encroached upon for formation of layouts, the Karnataka High Court has directed the Government to form district-level committees for maintenance and development of lakes.

A Division Bench headed by Chief Justice A.S. Oka, which heard a petition filed by Environment Protection Group on Wednesday, observed that such a committee is necessary for conservation of lakes other than those coming under City Corporations and Municipal limits.

Pointing out that the respective Deputy Commissioner must head the district-level committees, the Court said that ZP CEO, a Forest Department official and representatives of Minor Irrigation Department and Karnataka State Pollution Control Board will be members of the committee. The District Legal Services Authority should function as the Member–Secretary of the Committee, the Court further said.