The Royal Challengers Bengaluru, one of the Indian Premier League’s (IPL) formidable teams, faces an unexpected opponent off the pitch as their home grounds, the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, comes under the intense scrutiny of the National Green Tribunal (NGT). The NGT, a statutory body that adjudicates on environmental concerns and the conservation of natural resources, is closely monitoring the IPL matches scheduled in Bengaluru for the potential environmental impact they may impart.
The tribunal’s concerns surfaced when critically low water levels in the Cauvery River and diminished capacity of city borewells began exacerbating a dire water crisis in Bengaluru. The city has been struggling with water availability for everyday use for the past two months, a situation made more severe by a lack of sufficient rainfall.
Amidst this backdrop, the NGT dispatched a notice on Friday to the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), which is responsible for M Chinnaswamy Stadium. The order seeks a comprehensive explanation regarding the source and quantity of water utilized for the matches already played and those scheduled at the stadium throughout IPL 2024. M Chinnaswamy Stadium, having already been the venue for three matches this season, reportedly utilized about 75,000 litres of treated water for the upkeep of its pitches. With four more games lined up, every drop of water becomes a subject of scrutiny.
The NGT’s request for detailed reports extends to the Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) and the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB), with a deadline set for May 2nd to submit the required information. The agency is particularly interested in knowing the source from which water has been supplied for the matches and what procedures are in place to ensure that there is no misuse or overuse of this valuable resource.
Nevertheless, representatives from the KSCA remain confident that the games will go on as scheduled. KSCA’s CEO, Shubendu Ghosh, affirmed that the stadium is operating within the confines of NGT guidelines and regulations. Ghosh stressed the significance of these matches and assured fans that the KSCA is meticulously examining the notice. “We are studying the notice, and as such, the stadium complies with the NGT norms,” Ghosh commented. “So, we are confident of going ahead with the matches.”
In an important clarification, it was noted that the water used for maintaining the grounds was not directly sourced from Bangalore’s potable water but rather treated water which the KSCA had secured permission to use from the BWSSB. This point is particularly pertinent as the Karnataka government has imposed a ban on using potable water for purposes such as gardening and lawn maintenance, in an effort to preserve the clean water supply for essential human use.
Moreover, the KSCA’s proactive measures in securing treated water serve as a model for sustainability and respect for environmental regulations amid sporting events of such scale. The message is clear: even as the stadium hosts high-energy cricket matches, there remains an underlying commitment to ecological conservation and resource management.
While the KSCA awaits the green light to continue with the subsequent matches, the NGT’s intervention serves as a reminder of our shared responsibilities—both to the sports we love and the environment that sustains us. The unfolding situation at M Chinnaswamy Stadium thus becomes an intersection of ecology and entertainment, where the balance struck could set precedents for future sporting events in India and beyond. As the Royal Challengers Bengaluru and their fans gear up for the upcoming games, the eyes of both cricket enthusiasts and environmental advocates will be fixed on the fate of the IPL matches in the ‘Garden City.’
