New Delhi, India: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) recently issued notices to government bodies in Bengaluru following numerous incidents of fish deaths in the city’s lakes. The tribunal took action after media reports highlighted 61 fish kill incidents between 2017 and 2023, with sewage identified as the primary cause.
The NGT, led by chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava, expressed concern over the repeated fish kill incidents in Bengaluru’s lakes, particularly in areas with sewage treatment plants. In 2023 alone, 20 episodes of fish kills were recorded in 15 waterbodies, with Kothanur, Kundalahalli, and Bhattarahalli lakes reporting multiple incidents.
According to the NGT’s analysis, nine out of the 15 lakes that experienced fish kills in 2023 had poor water quality for several months, indicating untreated sewage as the main contributor to the issue. The NGT also raised questions about the enforcement of environmental regulations and the implementation of relevant laws in the region.
In response to the situation, notices were sent to the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), Karnataka Pollution Control Board, Central Pollution Control Board, principal secretary of the Department of Fisheries, and the deputy commissioner and district magistrate of Bengaluru. The matter has been transferred to the Southern Zonal Bench of the NGT, with a hearing scheduled for July 26.
The NGT’s intervention underscores the urgent need for action to address the environmental challenges facing Bengaluru’s lakes. The fish kill incidents not only harm the local ecosystem but also raise broader concerns about water pollution and sewage management in urban areas. Stakeholders must work together to implement sustainable solutions to protect the city’s water bodies and wildlife.