Padubidri: Costal Restricted Zone Violation in Hejamadi

By Snehalatha, Udupi
Bellevision Media Network

Padubidri, 10 June 2011: This is the best example; how illegal work can be carried out by misusing the people’s ignorance on law and the carelessness of the Officers. In Hejamadi Padukare, Kandla trees are cut and destroyed in more than 3 acre land for the construction of resort, violating Coastal Restricted Zone (CRZ) rules. Through this place last week the salt water is flown into 50 acres of agricultural fields and these fields are now not suitable for agriculture. These fields were the livelihood of 50 – 60 families. Also, the houses near the river are in fear of river erosion.

 

Padukare is the place where Kamini river joins the sea. Next to the sea there is Kandla trees grown, which is so thick that, it is like a 15 – 20 feet high wall and nothing is visible on the other side. Hundreds of birds were nesting and breeding there. Because of these Kandla trees there was no erosion on the sides of the river. Even during high tide while salt water from the river overflows, it was not flowing into the agricultural fields, says Santhosh Kumar, a local resident.

 

But in the last 2 months, a person who purchased this land has uprooted the Kandla trees with JCB and filled loads of soil over it. Without knowing the danger from this the local people were quiet. But now after the rain the water level in the river has increased and the salt water is flown into the agricultural fields causing agitation among the local people.

 

These agriculturist did not know about CRZ rules and they were not aware that there is no permission for cutting the trees from the shores of sea and rivers, construction of buildings and it is punishable crime!. Here near the river there is Naga Brhmasthana which is being worshiped from generations, if there will be river erosion in rainy season it will become part of the river.

 

After knowing this matter District Forest and Environment and Biological Department Area Director T. Balachandra visited the spot and was shocked to see the actual happenings. In 3 acre area this illegal activities have taken place, here CRZ rules are violated, he confirmed to the reporter.

 

 

As per him here the rules have been seriously violated. Coastal Restricted Zone, 200 meters from the sea and 150 meters from the river area is No Development Zone (NDZ). Making any construction in this area is a crime and this crime has taken place here.

 

The Kandla forest is cut which is in Patta land, that is also against the law. About 2 acre river land has been illegally occupied. Since river is government property, illegal occupation of government property is a crime. Obstructing the flowing water is also against the law, from this fishing could be in danger, river erosion might take place, river flow route might change, he said.

 

About all these violations the report will be sent to Deputy Commisioner who is the President of CRZ Authority and will also be sent to the government, said Balachandra.

 

The people anyway do not know about the rules. But the local Panchayath has the information about the resort construction. The Officers here know the violation of CRZ, demolition of Kandla forest, illegal occupation of the river land. But still they have been silent!