Shivamogga: Strict action has been taken to clear the encroachment on govt Virupaksha Jaddu Lake in Honnesara village, under the Heggodu gram panchayat limits of Anandapura hobli, Sagara taluk, Shivamogga district.Local villagers had been continuously protesting against this lake encroachment since 2022, but officials had failed to take action. On Monday, the local PDO with staff reclaimed the land on Monday using earthmovers.Out of the total 2 acres and 11 guntas of lakeland, a survey confirmed that 16 guntas had been illegally encroached upon under the name of Shramajeevi Ashram.Recently, during his visit to Shivamogga, minister for rural development and panchayat raj Eshwar B Khandre received a complaint from the residents. Taking the complaint seriously, the minister issued a strict official order directing authorities to inspect the site and clear the encroachment within seven days in accordance with the high court directives on lake conservation and the Karnataka Lake Conservation and Development Authority Act of 2014.After the minister’s strict directive, revenue and panchayat officials, led by Heggodu gram panchayat PDO Girish and village accountant Bhavya, successfully executed the anti-encroachment operation using JCBs under police protection.Lake reclaimation triggers political clashReclamation of a lake area in Tevarateppa, Anavatti hobli (Soraba taluk), executed alongside the clearing of illegal arecanut plantations, has escalated into a political confrontation. Action was taken following a Karnataka Lokayukta notice prompted by local complaints. However, the clearance operation met swift opposition from senior BJP leaders, including MP BY Raghavendra and former MLA Harthalu Halappa, who led public protests against the drive on Tuesday.
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