Madikeri: The encroachment of lakes in Kushalnagar taluk has become a significant issue, with 139 lakes still encroached.According to the authorities, of the 139 lakes encroached, 68 are now cleared. Despite a directive from the Karnataka high court to clear these encroachments and hand over the lakes to gram panchayats for development, progress is slow, according to Mohan, convener of the Lake Embankment Protection Committee, who is vocal about the lack of action from local bodies.The revenue department authorities has managed to clear the encroachments from these 68 lakes and hand them over to the gram panchayats. However, the panchayats are criticised for their inaction, with no development plans formulated for the lakes. This neglect has prompted further legal action, with Mohan threatening to file a complaint against the administration and officials for their negligence. The issue extends beyond these 68 lakes, as there are over 690 small waterbodies in the area that also require protection from encroachment.The total land of the encroached lakes is approximately 258 acres, highlighting the scale of the problem. There is a pressing need for the gram panchayats to take responsibility and develop these waterbodies, ensuring their protection and sustainable management. The situation calls for immediate action and accountability from local administrations to preserve these vital resources, Mohan said.
