8 months ago
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Talacauvery, the birthplace of Cauvery river, revered arsenic the lifeline of millions crossed Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, is present astatine the centre of a onshore encroachment controversy.
Known for its cultural, spiritual, and ecological significance, Talacauvery adjacent Bhagamandala of Kodagu territory is alleged to person seen large-scale amerciable concern of land, according to a study submitted by the Kodagu District Land Records Department to the Deputy Commissioner.
The report, prepared pursuing a ailment filed with the Karnataka Lokayukta by Kodagu Ekikarana Ranga, an biology group, reveals that implicit 40 individuals person encroached upon astir 50 acres of onshore belonging to the Muzrai Department, which oversees properties linked to temples and spiritual institutions. The territory medication has besides indicated that a survey of an further 18.5 acres is inactive successful advancement to place further encroachments successful some Talacauvery and Bhagamandala temples.
According to members of Kodagu Ekikarana Ranga, the encroachment includes onshore situated successful the environmentally delicate Brahmagiri Hills region, wherever the Cauvery originates.
Kodagu Ekikarana Ranga, a section organisation, had approached the Lokayukta aft years of inaction by territory authorities. Following the complaint, a elaborate onshore survey was ordered to measure the grade of encroachment astatine Talacauvery and Bhagamandala.
‘Ignored for years’
Speaking to The Hindu, Thamoo Poovaiah, a subordinate of Kodagu Ekikarana Ranga, said that the contented has persisted for implicit a decade. “We person been raising concerns astir amerciable encroachments successful Talacauvery and Bhagamandala for years, but the authorities person consistently ignored the matter. These are ineffable places, and it is distressing to spot them being exploited for idiosyncratic and commercialized gain,” helium said.
Mr. Poovaiah alleged that section residents and businessmen, including a edifice proprietor from Kerala, are progressive successful the encroachment. He recalled that a task unit was formed successful 2012 to analyse the issue, and a survey conducted successful 2013 had identified 71 instances of encroachment. However, the findings of that survey reportedly went missing, raising suspicions of power and interference by almighty individuals. “Some influential radical ensured that the substance ne'er saw the airy of day. That is wherefore we had nary enactment but to attack the Lokayukta,” Mr. Poovaiah added.
Following the ailment successful January 2023, the Lokayukta directed the Kodagu territory medication to transportation retired a broad survey and taxable a report. Officials person since completed a important information of the work, identifying dozens of encroachments connected temple land, but the last appraisal remains pending.
Survey inactive underway
When contacted, Kodagu Deputy Commissioner Venkat Raja confirmed that the survey is inactive nether way. “We person received complaints regarding amerciable encroachment of onshore successful and astir Talacauvery and Bhagamandala temples. The survey is being conducted meticulously, and erstwhile it is completed, enactment volition beryllium taken against those recovered to person encroached upon authorities oregon temple land, successful accordance with the law,” helium told The Hindu.
Meanwhile, Kodagu Ekikarana Ranga has urged the territory medication to enactment swiftly based connected the survey results already available. “The study intelligibly identifies 40 individuals who person encroached connected Muzrai land. We are puzzled wherefore nary enactment has been initiated yet. The medication indispensable not hold further,” the members said.
