The government’s promise to protect water bodies appears to be all talk and no action.
For the fourth time in a year, it has not responded to the request of Karnataka Lake Conservation and Development Authority (KLCDA) to provide adequate and qualified staff.
KLCDA is the watchdog of all water bodies in the state with a vision to restore lakes and wetlands “in quality and importance to their pristine status as reflected in the pages of history.’’
Its mission is “to establish a strong system of well-linked lakes and tanks free from organic and chemical pollutants, and intensify official concern and motivate community vigilance to the extent where pollution and encroachment of lake lands would become impossible.’’
A fresh request to increase staff strength comes in the wake of the ongoing hearing of the case pertaining to the development of the Bellandur lake before the NGT.
“We have requested the government many times, but there has been no reply. We do not have a single officer in revenue and enforcement wing. We need to enhance our strength before the NGT asks us to execute works. I will be forced to reply that we will not be able to do so, because of staff constraints,” Seema Garg, CEO, KLCDA, told DH.
The Authority is working with inadequate number of staffers since it was formed in 2015. The list includes the CEO, office manager, accounts officer, four assistant executive engineers, three deputy rangers, one range forest officer, one assistant conservator of forest and one deputy conservator of forest. This is against the sanctioned strength of 96.
The revenue and police departments have said they cannot deputy anyone to KLCDA as they themselves are short-staffed. “We have been requesting that at least two policemen and one revenue officer be deployed to KLCDA, instead of filling all the sanctioned 12 and 21 posts in those ranks, respectively,” she said.
After being shamed before the NGT for not being able to clear construction debris and solid waste around Bellandur Lake, the government could face a similar situation as the court committee members have already taken note of KLCDA’s staff shortage.
“KLCDA has not been able to take stern action against encroachers and polluters. They have not even been able to conduct proper surveys as they do not have the qualified officials. Lack of seriousness and the government’s incapability will be highlighted before the NGT,” said a court committee member.