Principal Chief Conservator of Forest A K Verma on Monday said he has sought a report from the Chamarajnagar Chief Conservator of Forest over Tamil Nadu government’s plans to take up drinking water and power generation projects at the controversial Hogenakal falls.
The Forest department’s move has come following protests from Kannada organisations opposing TN’s projects at the falls. “I have asked for a report over the issue. Based on the report, appropriate action will be taken,” Verma said.
Kannada Chalavali Paksha leader Vatal Nagaraj, who staged a protest in this regard in front of Kengal Hanumanthaiah statue at Vidhana Soudha, urged the Governor to immediately take steps to stop TN from taking up the projects. TN is laying the foundation stone for these projects at Dharmapuri on February 26, he added.
If the State Government remains a mute spectator and allows TN to go ahead with its projects, the people of Karnataka will be in danger as far as drinking water is concerned. TN Government’s move is illegal as per the final order of the Cauvery river tribunal, he stated.
When contacted, Chamarajnagar Chief Conservator of Forest Nagaraj said the question of initiating any step does not arise as the reported foundation stone laying by TN is not happening in Hogenakal falls.
Meanwhile, Karnataka Rakshana Vedike has alleged that the Tamil Nadu government has been making efforts to occupy state’s property at Hogenakal in Kollegal taluk in the name of hydro-power project. The Vedike has urged the Advocate General to inform the Supreme Court on Tamil Nadu’s efforts and safeguard Karnataka’s interests.
In a memorandum submitted to AG B V Acharya the Vedike said Hogenakal is one of the prime tourist attractions of the state in the border area. According to maps prepared as per reorganisation of states done in 1956 Hogenakal is part of Karnataka. The Tamil Nadu is making efforts to include Hogenakal in its jurisdiction by setting up hotel, resort and guest house at the place.
The vedike demanded that the AG should inform the Supreme Court about such efforts of the neighbour state and make efforts to retain the area in Karnataka.
