‘Reduction of buffer zone area will threaten very existence of lakes’

Mysore/Mysuru: Following the recent gazette notification issued by the State Government under the Karnataka Tank Conservation and Development Authority (Amendment) Act, 2025, revising lake buffer zones from a uniform 30 metres to a tiered system based on lake size, the Parisara Ulisi Samiti has strongly objected to the move.

Under the revised norms, lakes spread over more than 100 acres will retain a 30-metre buffer zone, while smaller lakes between one and 10 acres will have only a six-metre buffer to facilitate basic infrastructure works.

In a press release, Samiti Convener Kiran shared his views and raised several questions, urging the Lake Development Authority to respond.

He also called on the Government to reconsider its decision, alleging that the move primarily benefits the land mafia at the cost of public safety.

Catchment areas at risk

Kiran said that, given the present environmental conditions, lake buffer zones should ideally be expanded rather than reduced. Buffer zones essentially serve as the ‘catchment area’ of a water body and play a crucial role in retaining water.

“If this vital component of a lake is compromised, the consequences will be severe,” he said.

He pointed out that buffer zones were earlier fixed at 75 metres around lakes, which was later reduced to a maximum of 30 metres. The latest amendment reduces it even further for smaller lakes, which, according to him, threatens their very existence.

“The buffer zone should instead be increased to at least 100 metres,” he said, adding that lakes are natural formations located in low-lying areas where rainwater accumulates. “If these natural catchment spaces disappear from the landscape, the consequences will be serious.”

Policies should reflect public opinion

Kiran said that policies related to lakes and environmental protection must be framed based on expert recommendations and public consultation. However, he alleged that the latest revision appears to have been made under political pressure.

“Buildings and roads can be constructed elsewhere, but lakes, ponds and their catchment areas must remain undisturbed,” he said. He also warned that the decline in groundwater levels in recent years makes the conservation of water bodies even more critical.

According to the Samiti, green buffer zones are vital for maintaining lake ecosystems and sustaining water levels. If developed as green belts with large trees, the roots help retain water and maintain soil moisture around the lake.

Risk of flooding

Reducing buffer zones, Kiran cautioned, could lead to increased waterlogging during rains. Roads could turn into temporary lakes, eventually flooding nearby residential areas.

He cited the example of the Outer Ring Road (ORR), where waterlogging during rains has become common due to the disappearance of traditional water channels that once connected lakes.

‘K.C. Layout Lake needs restoration’

Even though encroachments on the K.C. Layout Lake in Kempu Cheluvajammanni (K.C.) Layout, off Chamundi Hill Main Road, have been cleared following sustained public protests, the water body now needs restoration, said Kiran of Parisara Ulisi Samiti.

In a statement, he said the lake must be desilted to remove accumulated silt and restore its capacity.

Kiran also claimed that there are hardly any instances of the District Administration clearing lake encroachments on its own. “If such instances exist, the authorities should provide proof,” he said.

Instead, he alleged that hundreds of lakes have been encroached upon over the years, with many losing even the trace of their original boundaries.