Ingole stated that the development work around the lake in Buldhana district was on. However, there is some delay in the processing the tenders for the relocation of the slum dwellers around the town. He stated that the 'issuance of the work' order is beyond their control as the government had not appointed an administrator as yet. The government has plans to construct 700 houses costing Rs 17.85 crore for re-locating slum-dwellers from the crater area.
The court was informed that the report on the crater was considered by the chief minister during a meeting in Mumbai on October 18. During the meeting, it was decided to develop the site by involving several government authorities to ensure that it is protected in its original status. Even the state was believed to have allotted Rs 1 crore under the Vidarbha package along with Rs 90 lakh grants received from the Japanese government for development of crater.
A division bench, comprising justices Vijay Daga and Arun Chaudhari, has also allowed petitioner Kirti Nipankar and two others to amend their petition requesting the government to approach the UNESCO with the proposal of declaring the crater area as "World Heritage site".
During last hearing, the court had pulled up the government for not being "serious" regarding the conservation of the Lonar lake.
In their earlier submissions to the court, the petitioners had made shocking claims that the Lonar lake was slowly degrading and dying due to increasing pollution and silting. The lake is recognised world-wide. They had pointed out that though the crater was declared as a protected site by the government, no measures had been taken to preserve it till date. The lake is presently being used for dumping drainage waste by the municipal council which is severely harming the lake and its surrounding environment. Citing various studies and reports, the petitioners contended that lake's saline nature is its unique feature.
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