Karwar: Uttara Kannada Deputy Commissioner (DC) K. Lakshmi Priya has issued strict directives to officials to prevent encroachments on government lakes and undertake conservation measures around them.

She was speaking at a meeting at the DC office on Monday, where she emphasized that under no circumstances should any of the district’s lakes be encroached upon. She instructed concerned departments, including the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department, Urban Development Department, Minor Irrigation Department, and Forest Department, to conduct surveys of the 2,118 lakes in the district and install fencing around them to prevent encroachments.

The DC ordered authorities to serve notices to those who have encroached on lake areas and take immediate action to clear the encroachments. If conservation work is needed, projects should be carried out under MGNREGA.

She also directed pollution control authorities to prevent waste and sewage from industries and residential areas from contaminating the lakes. Officials were asked to monitor pollution levels and take action against violators.

The DC further instructed all related departments to survey lakes and submit reports. If additional developmental work is required, proposals should be submitted to the State Lake Development Authority for necessary approvals.

The meeting was attended by senior civil judges, members of the District Legal Services Authority, Additional Deputy Commissioner Sajid Mulla, Sub-Divisional Officer Kanishk, Zilla Panchayat Deputy Secretary Halamma Navar, District Environmental Officer Santosh, and tahsildars from all taluks along with officials from the Urban Development and Minor Irrigation Departments.