The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has issued a renewed warning to NGOs and citizen groups, declaring that independent fundraising for lake conservation in Bengaluru—such as collecting donations via QR codes or UPI payments—is illegal under current court orders.
BBMP officials emphasise that all funding and conservation activities must be routed through official channels and formal agreements to ensure transparency and legality.
Notices have been issued to groups found violating these norms, and the Karnataka Tank Development and Conservation Authority (KTDCA) has also pledged to take action against unauthorised collections. The civic body is currently awaiting court approval for a new policy that will regulate private and community contributions for lake upkeep.
BBMP Cracks Down on Unauthorised Lake Fundraising
In July 2025, BBMP engineers identified a prominent group in the Bengaluru South Parliament segment soliciting funds for lake development by pasting QR codes for UPI donations at lake sites. BBMP officials stated that such fundraising is not legal unless conducted under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the civic body, which must explicitly prohibit commercial or fundraising activities.
The BBMP has issued notices to groups involved and warned that permissions for lake management may be revoked for repeat offences. The KTDCA has also alerted its teams to monitor and act against unauthorised fundraising, reiterating that until the court resolves the matter, all public collections for lake work are considered illegal.
Background: Policy Developments and Community Involvement
Bengaluru’s lakes have long relied on community participation for restoration and maintenance. However, a 2019 High Court order halted MoUs with NGOs and private entities for lake management due to concerns over transparency and misuse.
Since then, BBMP has been drafting the “Community Involvement for Lake Conservation Policy, 2024,” which aims to allow regulated funding from private entities and individuals, including CSR contributions, under strict oversight.
The draft policy requires all proposals to be submitted to the BBMP Chief Commissioner and approved by the KTDCA, with BBMP engineers supervising all projects to ensure transparency. The policy is currently pending approval from the Karnataka High Court, and until it is finalised, any independent fundraising remains illegal.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
BBMP’s firm stance highlights the need for a balanced approach—encouraging citizen engagement in environmental conservation while upholding legal and ethical standards.
The Logical Indian supports transparent, accountable frameworks that empower communities to participate in safeguarding Bengaluru’s lakes, but stresses that clear guidelines and oversight are essential to prevent misuse and maintain public trust.
