Accra, July 24, GNA - The Volta River Authority (VRA) on Thursday declared the Volta Gorge Area that stretches from Akosombo to Dodi a restricted zone.

A statement signed by Mrs Gertrude Koomson, Director of Public Affairs, said activities like tree felling, bushing burning, farming and charcoal production were not permitted in the area. The statement said these activities tended to have detrimental effect on the Lake and consequently the Akosombo Dam, thereby reducing the output of the power plant.

It noted that declaration was in line with VRA's responsibility to ensure that the Volta Lake was safeguarded.

The statement said the VRA was embarking on a number of measures to control human activity along the shores of the Volta Lake and to ensure that the interest of affected persons were adequately protected, the Authority had been discussing the matter with all those who have been identified as having interest in the land.

The statement said persons, who have any form of interest in the portions of the land in the gorge area but have not been recognized by VRA, were to submit their names within two weeks of the announcement to the Volta Gorge Land Owners Association.