India's environmental court orders closure of industries near Bellandur lake

India's environmental court National Green Tribunal (NGT) Wednesday ordered an immediate closure of all industries around Bellandur lake in southern state of Karnataka, officials said.

The lake situated in the city of Bengaluru is highly polluted.

"The court said all the industries located in the vicinity of Bellandur lake discharging effluents are hereby directed to be closed," an official said. " As per directive, no industry will be permitted to operate unless inspection is conducted and analysis of effluent is found to be within the permissible limits."

The court ordered the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) to enforce the directive and seal industries that are found to be operating in violating the directions.

The court slammed local civic bodies for dumping of any kind of municipal solid waste around the lake and ordered them to impose penalties to violators.

In February garbage dumped in the lake and wild grass that has grown inside it caught fire, letting off thick clouds of smoke and spewing ash in the nearby area.

The lake is heavily polluted as untreated sewage and pollutants get discharged in it. Expert said the polluted water emanate an obnoxious stench round the clock as sustained inflow of pollutants have increased beyond the lake's assimilative capacity and over the years has led to nutrient enrichment and profuse growth of macrophytes and algae in it.

For past few days, the white toxic spume rises from the lake and floats in the air, thereby obstructing the commuting movements of pedestrians and motorcyclists. Endit