Notice to Irrigation dept for violating CRZ guidelines

Mangalore, Feb 21 (UNI) The Regional Directorate of Environment (RDE) issued notice to the District Minor Irrigation Department (MID) for alleged violation of Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) guidelines by reclaiming Gurupur River near Sultanbatheri, near here.

According to the RDE sources, the officials, while conducting a site inspection, found the river had been reclaimed 'illegally' at Sultanbatheri and Bokkapatna areas by the MID and a 25-foot wide road stretching for about 250 meter was constructed under the pretext of preventing sea erosion.

In the notice, the RDE had directed the MID to restore the river to its original condition and stop all work immediately.

It also warned that the work carried out by the Irrigation Department was punishable under Section 15 of the Environment Protection Act, 1986 for violation of CRZ guidelines.

The RDE had also directed the concerned contractor to decongest the drainage leading to the river.

Copies of the notice had been sent to the Secretary, State Environment Department and the Deputy Commissioner of Daxina Kannada.

UNI MA GM GT KN1707