The Karnataka High Court has issued notices to the principal secretary and the chief conservator of forests of Karnataka among others on a petition challenging the alleged encroachment of about 20 acres of reserved forest land for a business project adjacent to the back waters of Narihalla Dam in Bellary district.
Petitioner K N Somashekar contended that Ashok Lad, brother of mining baron Anil Lad, had established a luxurious resort adjacent to the backwaters of Narihalla Dam at Sandur taluk at Bellary by encroaching on reserved forest land.
He further contended that Lad was running a business venture in the name of one M/s Kolur Mookambika Water Sports in the back waters of the Narihalla Dam after entering into an agreement with the chief executive engineer of Tungabhadra dam’s division and the Karnataka government renewed the licence to organise water sports till February 13, 2012.
The petitioner charged that no action had been initiated by the government to protect its natural resources and also environment.
Hearing the petition, the division bench headed by acting Chief Justice Vikramajit Sen and Justice A S Bopanna issued notices to the Principal Secretary, Chief Conservator of Forest, Principal Secretary of the Revenue Department, Principal Chief Conservator of Forest and Chairman of the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board.