Bengaluru, Sept. 16 -- Karnataka Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot has returned the Karnataka Lake Conservation and Development Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2025, expressing concerns over the state government's decision to reduce the buffer zone around lakes and Rajakaluva to 30 meters.

The amendment, passed by both houses in the last legislative session, sought to alter Section 12 of the Karnataka Lake Conservation and Development Authority Act. The Governor, however, has questioned the rationale behind shrinking the buffer zone instead of expanding it to maintain ecological balance.

In his communication to the state government, the Governor noted objections raised by the Bengaluru Town Hall Association, citing that the amendment contravenes...