It is feared that the trend may result in houses being flooded during rain, as the rainwater would have no other outlet if the primary canal is completely encroached.
Animals in danger
The encroachments have also endangered the population of black bucks, for which the area was a sanctuary.
The two-kilometre canal passes through Palar Nagar in the town and connects to the Krishnavaram tank. Its original width is 60 feet, but encroachments have reduced its width to a mere 10 feet. The canal also formed a slope between BEML Nagar and Dodduru Karapanahalli.
The primary canal was the major source of water for the black bucks, with the deer species sustaining on standing water even in summer.
All around the area
Residential layouts mushroomed in and around BEML Nagar, with the land mafia encroaching upon the canal. Khatas were created in the Gram Panchayats so as to construct houses.
Some religious and educational institutions are also guilty of encroaching the canal area.
‘Visitors’
The constantly shrinking canal is turning into a barren stretch of land, forcing the black bucks to venture into the town in search of water and falling prey to stray dogs.
Recently, a pregnant deer, in search of water, fell into a dried up well at D K Halli plantation.
The canal has been encroached even at ‘H’ and ‘P’ blocks of BEML Nagar. Gram Panchayat officials are in cahoots with the encroachers by giving licences for the construction of buildings, allege the office bearers of the Bharat Nagar Employees Co-operative Society.
A few of them are trying to create awareness among the people about the need to protect the canal.
Complaint filed
They have filed a complaint with Tahsildar Mangala demanding that survey of the encroachments must be carried out and strict measures must be taken to clear them.
Mangala has issued the necessary instructions to taluk surveyor Venkataram.