Daijiworld News Network – Mangalore (VM), Pics by Dayanand Kukkaje

Mangalore, Mar 24: It’s common to hear instances of illegal encroachment of land and buildings, but here is something which may sound weird- encroachment of a river!

The district administration on Thursday March 23 waged a legal battle against the illegal encroachment of the Netravati River near the river basin at Jappina Mogaru.

With high intentions, a private party had gradually encroached 6.33 acres of the river basin and was undertaking the work of constructing a private resort.

On Thursday, the team of officials led by assistant commissioner Prabhakar Sharma demolished the wall built by the private resort owner.

Ibrahim Shiekh from Kotekkar had built the wall on the bank the river obstructing the natural drains and river flow. A criminal complaint has also been registered against the individual.

According to the Coastal Regulatory Zone specifications, any construction should be 150 meters away from the high tide area of the river. This construction was less than 50 meters and thus demolished.

Further it is also alleged that a pond of 1.5 acres has also been encroached and was on the verge of being buried by mud.