Dumping of boulders into Geddai stream in Nilgiris under probe
The Revenue and Forest Departments are investigating the illegal dumping of boulders into a stream that joins the Geddai Dam, potentially posing a serious risk
The Revenue and Forest Departments are investigating the illegal dumping of boulders into a stream that joins the Geddai Dam, potentially posing a serious risk to local residents. According to officials, the Horticulture Department had granted the owners of a parcel of agricultural land in Kil Kundha, the Nilgiris, permission to clear boulders from the property. However, in violation of the permission granted, the landowners allegedly dumped at least two loads of boulders excavated from the land into a stream originating from Thaishola Estate and flowing into the Geddai Dam.
Local residents who noticed the violation said they feared that the loose rocks dumped along the dry riverbed could be displaced during the next spell of heavy rain, posing a risk to residents and surrounding structures. Forest Department officials who spoke to The Hindu said that the stream was on revenue land and that an inspection of the site had been conducted.
The landowners were informed about the violation. When contacted, B. Gunavathi, Tahsildar, Kundha, said that the landowners had been granted permission to remove the boulders from August 14 to 19 and had been clearly instructed to ensure that the
rocks were not dumped in streams or riverbeds. She said that a team from the Revenue Department had inspected the site and directed the landowners to remove the boulders from the stream and dispose of them on their own land.
The BriefWire