As per the forest department, the land where dam is situated belongs to them. The forest department has constructed a trench across the road. The road to Lakhya dam is two kilometres away from Kudremukh.
Hearing the news, the KIOCL employees visited the spot and opposed the move by the forest department.
However, according to forest department officials, the dam area comes under National park limits. To prevent the entry of general public, as per the direction of higher officials, trench has been constructed in the middle of the road.
Speaking to Deccan Herald, KIOCL Administrative Officer Rajanna said “Lakhya dam was constructed by KIOCL. We have been maintaining it for the past three decades. Part of the land of the dam comes under forest department. The controversy has been going on for the last few years. We had even had the knowledge that forest department is eager to initiate action in this regard.”
In this background, a memorandum was submitted to wildlife division of Kudremukh. However, forest department had constructed a trench without intimation.”
“Lakhya dam must be maintained by KIOCL. But now we are in dilemma as forest department has prohibited the entry to the dam by constructing a trench on the road leading to the dam.”
BJP district Raitha Morcha Secretary M A Sheshagiri said “the dam is filled with silt. Any damage to the dam will be disastrous. The future of Bhadra river and Kalasa hobli is dependent on the safety of the dam. By blocking the road, forest department has come in the way of maintenance of the dam.” CISF personnel are guarding the dam.
If they stop their duty owing to the forest department, there is danger from those who catch fish by using explosives. The forest department must hand over the dam to the KIOCL. If they fail to do so, protest will be staged,” he warned.
DH News Service
