The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has sought action for removal of encroachments and constructions in the catchment area of Red Hills Lake in Ponneri Taluk of Tami Nadu's Tiruvallur district
The Commission has asked District Collector of Tiruvallur to take steps by issuing necessary orders to the revenue officials in this regard within eight weeks.
The Commission's directions come following its cognizance of a complaint seeking its intervention in the matter of human rights violation in which11 persons died after a wall, adjoining their huts, collapsed at Upper Palayam Village near Red Hills Lake.
The complainants disclosed that a lot of godowns were constructed in the concerned area without the approval of the local planning authority violating the Wet Land Conservation and Management Rules,
2010.
Member of NHRC, Justice D. Murugesan, has observed that protection of water bodies is the primary responsibility of the Government.
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He further observed that though the District Collector of Tiruvallur had reported that directions were given to the revenue officers to remove encroachments on the land, it was high time that the District
Administration take steps to remove all such encroachments.