Mandya: Mandya deputy commissioner Kumara issued a directive to the district officials to expedite the removal of lake encroachments and ensure long-term protection of reclaimed waterbodies.Stressing the need for greater diligence and accountability, he warned that action would be taken against those involved in illegal occupation, and disciplinary action would follow for officials who failed to act within the stipulated timeline.
Chairing a review meeting at the DC’s office on Monday, Kumara assessed the progress of ongoing encroachment clearance operations across the district. Officials informed the meeting that encroachments were so far cleared from around 245 lakes, while 203 lakes continued to remain under illegal occupation.The DC directed the departments concerned to immediately clear the remaining encroachments and submit a detailed, comprehensive report without delay. He set a strict deadline of March 30 to complete the clearance of all remaining encroachments. He cautioned that failure to meet the deadline would invite disciplinary action against the officers responsible for the work.Emphasising the importance of preventing re-encroachment, the DC instructed officials to dig protective trenches along the boundaries of cleared lakes and install signboards clearly demarcating lake areas.He directed officials from the Panchayat Raj engineering sivision, Cauvery Neeravari Nigama Limited, and the minor irrigation department to take responsibility for protecting lakes under their respective jurisdictions and to conduct regular inspections to ensure their continued preservation.
