|National Green Tribunal
30-Meter Buffer Zone Mandated for Lake Protection Overriding 12-Meter State Statute: NGT Southern Zone
The National Green Tribunal Southern Zone has ruled that ecological integrity demands a 30-meter buffer around Byalakere Lake, superseding Karnataka’s statutory minimum of 12 meters. This sets a precedent for judicial enforcement of environmental buffers beyond legislative thresholds, binding urban development authorities and state agencies to prioritize hydrological preservation over zoning convenience.