New Delhi, India – The National Green Tribunal (NGT) in India has recently taken action against multiple agencies in Bengaluru, Karnataka, following a series of fish deaths in various lakes. The NGT has issued notices to the BBMP, Karnataka Pollution Control Board, and Central Pollination Control Board, requiring them to respond to the alarming incidents.
The principal bench of the NGT, led by Justice Prakash Shrivastava, initiated an inquiry into the fish kill incidents after being alerted by media reports. Reports indicate that Bengaluru has seen a concerning number of fish kill incidents, with 61 occurrences recorded between 2017 and 2023. The NGT specifically highlighted four lakes with repeated fish deaths during this period, all of which have sewage treatment plants (STPs) in place.
In 2023 alone, there were 20 episodes of fish deaths documented in 15 different water bodies, with Kothanur, Kundalahalli, and Bhattarahalli lakes reporting multiple incidents. The NGT’s analysis pointed to untreated sewage as the primary cause of these incidents, underscoring the urgent need for action to address water quality issues in the region.
Media reports have drawn attention to the lack of underground sewage connections in the 110 villages surrounding these lakes, exacerbating the pollution problem. The NGT’s analysis revealed that nine out of the 15 lakes flagged for fish kills in 2023 had water quality classified as class ‘E,’ indicating severe contamination due to untreated sewage discharge.
The NGT has also summoned the principal secretary of the Department of Fisheries and the deputy commissioner and district magistrate of Bengaluru to address the environmental concerns raised by the fish kill incidents. The case has been transferred to the Southern Zonal Bench of the NGT, with a hearing scheduled for July 26 to further investigate and address the environmental violations in Bengaluru’s lakes.