Friday, September 23 2005 19:06 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Bangalore: Even as the century old Cauvery River water-sharing row between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu still remains, eluding solution, the two southern states have locked horns over a boundary dispute on the ownership of an island near the Hogenakal falls bordering both the states.

Tamil Nadu's attempts to develop the island as a tourist hotspot as it drew hordes of tourists all the year round has evoked sharp protest from Karnataka, which has stalled the works on the island.

With forest brigand Veerappan's menace being over, restrictions slapped on tourists visiting the island were eased out and Tamil Nadu Government recently sanctioned Rs 1.5 crore for the beautification of the place and took up construction of safety railings around it.

Karnataka, which also stakes claim over the ownership of the island, objected to the work and directed its Forest Department to stop it, according to Karnataka Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) A K Varma.

In the meanwhile, Chief Minister N Dharam Singh has asked the officials to furnish him details about the island and asserted the state would not allow its territory to be encroached by the neighbouring state.

Varma speaking to PTI said though the state had planned for a joint survey of the area to determine the ownership of the island, it was given up as there was already a high level committee going into the dispute.

At a meeting held between the Deputy Commissioner Chamarajnagar District (Karnataka), Deputy Commissioner, Dharmapuri District (Tamil Nadu) and forest officials of both states this month, it was jointly decided to have a survey of the area which was however disbanded, he said.

The matter now has been referred by the Karnataka forest Department to the State Government which in turn has directed that works should not be taken up in the island till the issue is resolved, he said.

"As a person who has served the forest department and also been a part of eco tourism in Karnataka, I feel such tourism-related, people friendly projects should be sorted out amicably so that development works do not suffer", Verma said.