Daijiworld Media Network - Madikeri (SP)

Madikeri, Sep 12: Relating to alleged plan to destroy forest located in a super sensitive biodiversity area just 700 metres away from Talakaveri and building a resort there, deputy commissioner of the district Annies Kanmani Joy has formed a four-member investigation team comprising officials.

Subdivisional officer Jaware Gowda, chief executive officer Laxmipriya, Madikeri assistant conservator of forests Nehru, and scientists of mines and geology department happen to be the members of the team. In the initial inquiry, the team found that the site where the resort is proposed to be constructed is a forest land belonging to the government. It was also revealed that different kinds of forest trees have been felled and medicinal trees too were cut down. There is suspicion about the handiwork of revenue sub-inspector.

Talakaveri Protection Forum and Bhagamandala villagers have urged the government to speed up investigation and punish the guilty. The villagers are anxious as an ominous looking crack has appeared in Brahmagiri hill at Talakaveri. They claim that construction of resort has been allowed in sensitive area and a pond has been built. The people strongly feel that this pond will prove to be disastrous for the villagers.