In a decisive move to protect a vital water source, the Mandya district administration has launched a major operation to identify and clear illegal encroachments in the backwater areas of the Krishna Raja Sagara (KRS) dam. The action follows serious concerns raised by local legislators about the shrinking reservoir capacity and ecological threats.
High-Level Meeting Sets Survey in Motion
A crucial meeting, chaired by Deputy Commissioner Kumara, was convened to kickstart immediate survey operations. The directive for this crackdown originated from a joint memorandum submitted by Srirangapatna MLA AB Ramesh Bandisiddegowda and legislative council member Dinesh Guligowda to the Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka. They highlighted the alarming rise in unauthorised occupations within the KRS backwater region.
Acting on the DCM's orders, officials have been tasked with conducting a comprehensive survey, removing encroachments without delay, installing boundary stones, and submitting a detailed compliance report. To oversee this critical process, a special committee has been formed under the chairmanship of the assistant commissioner of the Pandavapura sub-division.
Why Clearing KRS Encroachments is Critical
During the meeting, officials underscored the severe consequences of these illegal occupations. The encroachments directly lead to a reduction in the reservoir's effective storage capacity, which is catastrophic for a dam that supplies drinking water, irrigation, and power generation to multiple districts. Furthermore, they heighten the risk of flooding during the monsoon season, posing a serious threat to public property and the region's ecological balance.
Stressing the gravity of the situation, Deputy Commissioner Kumara stated that a scientific and time-bound survey was essential to accurately document the location, extent, and nature of all encroachments.
A Coordinated Government Effort
The administration has mandated close coordination between the water resources department and the department of land records. Their combined task is to:
- Demarcate government and private lands clearly.
- Document all illegally occupied areas with high precision.
- Submit a detailed survey report to facilitate clearance actions.
Emphasising the public interest, the DC urged all officials to discharge their responsibilities diligently to safeguard the KRS backwater area for future generations.
The meeting saw participation from key officials including the deputy director of land records, the assistant commissioner of Pandavapura sub-division, the executive engineer of Cauvery Neeravari Nigama, and the tahsildars of Srirangapatna, Pandavapura, and KR Pet taluks, signalling a unified administrative push to resolve this pressing issue.
