Karnataka’s New Buffer Zones: What’s Changing in 2025
What’s new now
Lakes (tiered by size): 0 m (≤0.05 acres), 3 m (0.05–1 acre), 6 m (1–10 acres), 12 m (10–25 acres), 24 m (25–100 acres), 30 m (≥100 acres).
Drains: Primary 15 m, Secondary 10 m, Tertiary 5 m (down from legacy higher limits).
Rationale: “Scientific” calibration; utilities allowed if they don’t reduce capacity or obstruct flow.
Two-minute history
2016 NGT: Expanded buffers to 75 m (lakes) and 50/35/25 m (drains) to protect ecology and reduce floods.
2019 Supreme Court: Quashed NGT’s citywide expansion; restored RMP 2015 baselines, with case-specific exceptions (e.g., Mantri).
2025 Draft: State proposes size-based buffers for lakes and 15/10/5 m for drains; NGT has taken suo motu notice for review.
Why it matters
Development: More flexibility around small lakes and narrower drains than under NGT 2016, potentially unlocking stalled sites.
Environment: Experts warn buffers act as flood “shock zones”; reduced distances may raise flood and pollution risks.
Status: Treat as draft until fully notified and cleared; SC 2019 remains the operative baseline for compliance.
At-a-glance tables
Lakes (proposed 2025)
≤0.05 acres: 0 m
0.05–1 acre: 3 m
1–10 acres: 6 m
10–25 acres: 12 m
25–100 acres: 24 m
≥100 acres: 30 m
Drains (proposed 2025)
Primary: 15 m
Secondary: 10 m
Tertiary: 5 m
Editor’s note
Cite both the draft changes and the 2019 SC ruling; flag that the NGT is examining the reductions suo motu, so final enforceability may change after hearings.