Minor irrigation department to curb illegal silt extraction

Mysuru: The department of minor irrigation has decided to file criminal cases against the extraction of soil and silt from lakes for commercial purposes. Following complaints of illegal silt and soil removal and transportation, the department has stepped up its vigilance to curb the illegal movement of silt and soil from the lakes.

Mysuru district has 2,991 lakes spread over 25,841 acres. Majority of the lakes come under the purview of the minor irrigation department.

There is huge demand for silt, which is considered fertile and enhances agricultural productivity. As silt also boosts horticulture output, incidents of extracting and removing silt and soil from lakes illegally are reported from several places.

As indiscriminate removal of silt and soil from lakes using earthmoving machines damages the lakes and causes damage to tank bunds, the department has issued a circular directing all the officials to curb the illegal extraction of silt and soil from its lakes. Removing silt and soil for commercial activities, including for construction work, is restricted by the department.

Use of JCBs restricted
According to the recent circular issued by the state minor irrigation department, only farmers of the command area can remove silt, which can be used only for agricultural activities as it helps farmers to enhance their yield. But they should obtain prior permission from the District Lake Development Authority, which will be headed by the deputy commissioner, zilla panchayats, before removal of silt and soil from any lakes. Farmers are permitted to remove the silt manually, and the use of JCB and other earthmoving machines is restricted by the department.

Directions were given to local gram panchayat development officers, taluk panchayat executive officers, and executive engineers of minor departments to strictly monitor such illegal activities in their limits and file criminal cases against individuals involved in such illegal extraction of silt and soil for commercial activities.

Deputy secretary of zilla panchayat M Krishnaraju said the state minor irrigation department has banned the extraction of soil and silt for commercial activities. It directed its PDO as well as officials of the minor irrigation department to book cases with the police station against persons involved in extracting silt and soil illegally without obtaining permission and transporting it illegally for commercial activities, he said.

Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha leader Attahalli Devaraj urged the District Lake Development Authority to curb such activities of illegal extraction of soil and silt transportation from lakes by strict enforcement, besides initiating measures for protection of all lakes and waterbodies after clearing encroachments, marking the boundary and fencing its properties.