NGT Scrutinizes Karnataka's Reduced Lake Buffer Zones

On August 26, 2025, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) intervened to review the Karnataka government's decision to reduce buffer zones around lakes and tanks. The tribunal issued notices to the state's environment department and other authorities, after taking suo motu cognizance of a media report on the Cabinet's approval of revised norms for lake conservation.

The NGT's action comes in the wake of the Karnataka Tank Conservation and Development Authority (Amendment) Bill 2025, which was recently passed by the state legislature. The new law introduces area-wise buffer zones, moving away from the earlier uniform restrictions. Under the revised norms, buffer zones will now range from 0 meters for very small tanks to a maximum of 30 meters for large lakes. Many conservationists had argued that the broader protective zones recommended in earlier guidelines were essential for maintaining the ecological health of these water bodies.

Alongside the buffer reclassification, the Bill also permits certain public utility works and industrial, recreational, and commercial activities within the tank areas and their buffer zones, subject to prior approval. The government has justified the amendments, citing recommendations from a technical committee that argued for more practical, size-based norms.

However, a residents' delegation met the state governor on August 25th, urging him to return the Bill for reconsideration. They argued that the reduced buffer zones violate constitutional and environmental safeguards, and will pave the way for reckless real estate development, endangering water security and the ecological balance of urban and rural lakes.