Despite repeated directives to survey and clear lake encroachments, illegal occupation of water bodies remains unresolved across Chikkamagaluru district. As per official data, 1,810 lakes fall under the jurisdiction of revenue, minor irrigation, rural development, and panchayat raj departments.
Surveys have been completed for 1,744 lakes, leaving 66 pending. Authorities identified encroachments on 777 lakes, but only 301 have been cleared, leaving 476 still occupied illegally.
The minor irrigation department oversees 124 lakes, 34 of which fall under reserved, forest, or grazing lands. The panchayat raj and engineering department (PRED) manages 880 lakes, of which 876 have been surveyed, with 4 pending.
Under the revenue department, encroachments were identified on 356 lakes. So far, 184 have been cleared, while 172 remain. The gram panchayat controls 834 lakes; 785 surveyed, 49 yet to be measured, 379 encroached, 103 cleared, and 276 pending clearance.
Farmers have voiced their frustration over administrative delays. “Officials lack initiative. Ponds and tanks are vital to replenish groundwater. Even Malenadu is drying due to exploitation,” lamented Shivaraju from Koppa.
Deputy Commissioner CN Meena Nagaraj assured that clearing encroachments is a priority. Revenue principal secretary Rajendra Kumar Kataria, overseeing Chikkamagaluru, directed officials to expedite removal of encroachments immediately.
As groundwater depletes and lakes dry up, the delay in reclaiming these water bodies threatens the region’s ecological balance and agricultural future.
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