Bill to protect lakes in Karnataka passed

BENGALURU: A bill aiming at protecting and developing lakes in the state, curbing encroachment of lake land and reclaiming such encroached land was passed by the Legislative Assembly on Monday.

The Karnataka Lake Conservation and Development Authority Bill 2014 moved by Minister for Environment, Ecology and Forest Ramanath Rai, also provides for establishment of Lake Conservation and Development Authority.

The Authority has jurisdiction on lakes located within the limits of all Municipal Corporations and Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) or any other water bodies or lakes notified by the Government from time to time.

During the discussion on the bill, JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy and BJP leader Suresh Kumar raised question on the definition of the word lake, to which government responded by saying that it will be taken care of while framing the rules.