Date | Dec 29, 2017:

The Thippagondanahalli Reservoir (TGR) bed is witnessing unabated illegal sand mining as the authorities concerned have failed to take any action to check this.

The reservoir comes under the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) jurisdiction. Access to the surrounding area is restricted and entry without permission is prohibited.

The miners seem to have carved a road to the reservoir, axing many trees in the process. This has also loosened the soil around the natural vegetation.

Vijay Nishanth, a city-based conservationist, told DH that the sand extraction seemed to be happening for some time, which had caused a loss of habitation to many birds in the area.

"We received some photographs from a local resident who narrated how the sand is being extracted and transported outside," Nishanth added.

The BWSSB local engineer at the TGR said the board learnt about the sand extraction a few months ago through the media.

The engineer said that they had written to the tahsildar as well as the Department of Mines and Geology in September but were yet to receive any response.

Miscreants may be entering the reservoir bed during the night to extract the soil, he said.

The local police are also unaware of sand mining.

Venkatesh, sub-inspector, Tavarekere police station, said he had not received any complaints about sand mining at the TGR.

The BWSSB top brass, including the chief engineer and the chairman, is also unaware of the activity.

(Source: http://www.deccanherald.com/)