Hyderabad: Irrigation and Civil Supplies Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy said the Telangana government would protect tank FTL boundaries and act against encroachments.
He made the statement during a Legislative Council discussion on violations involving water bodies. He said the government would protect tanks, ponds and other water bodies.
The minister also said the government would safeguard fishing communities whose livelihoods depend on these resources.
Responding to concerns raised in the Council, Uttam said officials would act against violations. These included damage to tank FTL boundaries, encroachments and hardships faced by fishing communities.
He also directed irrigation officials to inspect specific issues before the House. The officials had to examine each complaint and identify measures to protect water bodies.
In addition, they had to address concerns raised by local communities.
“I am completely committed to the protection of our tanks and their FTL boundaries. If there are specific instances where FTLs have been damaged or fishermen have been affected, bring them to my notice and I will act,” Uttam assured the House.
The minister said the government had started a process to form committees for all tanks. Similar committees had earlier existed in the erstwhile undivided Andhra Pradesh.
However, authorities later discontinued that system. The government has now decided to revive the mechanism after receiving recommendations for better management and protection of water bodies.
Tank FTL boundaries to receive closer monitoring
Meanwhile, the minister said authorities had geo-tagged around 44,000 tanks. As a result, the government had an important database to support their monitoring and conservation.
Uttam said the government would provide additional resources wherever necessary for tank protection. Moreover, he stressed that a shortage of resources would not stop conservation measures.
The minister reiterated that conservation and protection of tank FTL boundaries would remain government priorities. He also said the government would give priority to the livelihood interests of fishing communities.
Furthermore, Uttam assured the Legislative Council that the government would act on specific violations brought to its notice.
The government would also respond to concerns involving water bodies, encroachments and the livelihood of fishing communities, he said.
The minister’s remarks came as the government reviewed measures to protect tanks and other water resources across Telangana.
At the same time, the proposed committees are expected to strengthen monitoring at the local level. The geo-tagged database would also help authorities track and conserve the State’s water bodies.
Uttam said the government remained committed to protecting tank boundaries and water resources. He also stressed the need to protect communities that depend on tanks for their livelihoods.
