To check encroachment Tamil Nadu government on Wednesday said it will create a database of 4.78 lakh acres of temple land coming under its control.

Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments minister MSM Anandan informed the state assembly that a software detailing movable and immovable property belonging to temples, mutts and trusts under the ministry had been created for the purpose.

A database will be created for the benefit of officials to find details of land at one touch and thereby prevent encroachment of temple lands and ensure their retrieval, besides collecting lease amounts on time from persons who had leased the land, he said.

Anandan was replying to the grants for his department for the 2012-13.

The minister proposed introducing Wind and Hybrid Solar Energy in select temples of the state, including the Aranganathaswamy Temple at Srirangam, Dhandayuthapani Temple at Palani and Tiruchendur Subramanya Swamy temple, at an investment of Rs five crore.