Protect bio-diversity; shut all four units of the Kaiga'

[email protected] (CD Network)
June 18, 2012

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Mangalore, June 18: The Kali Valley environment awareness campaign and the Save Kali movement on Sunday passed a resolution urging the Union and State governments to take steps to protect the bio-diversity in the valley at a meeting at Keravadi.

The meeting, attended among others by Sri Gangadharendra Saraswathi Swamiji of Swarnavalli Math, felt that the big dams built across the Kali river, the factories on the banks of the river, and the Kaiga nuclear power station had caused irreparable damage to the valley.

It urged the State and the Union governments to draw up a plan to rejuvenate the valley. It said the onus of protecting the forest in the Kali valley was with the KPCL.

The Swamiji felt that all four units of the Kaiga Generation Stations should be shut till the health survey, being conducted by the Tata Memorial Centre (TMC), Mumbai, proves that there are no health hazards in the areas surrounding the station.

He demanded safety committees in areas surrounding KGS. He warned that people will oppose the proposed 5th and 6th units in KGS. The Union cabinet has approved the proposal for the setting up of unit 5 and 6, and permission from the ministry of environment and forests is awaited,

Alleging that cancer and abortions were on the rise in Kaiga and surrounding areas, the Swamiji demanded transparency from Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) officials on the effect that the plant has been having on the health of villagers residing in surrounding areas.

The swamiji alleged that despite demands that people's representatives too must be accommodated in the survey team, the government conducted the survey through TMC.

Anant Hegde Ashisar, chairman of the Western Ghat Task Force, warned of a non-violent satyagraha if the 5 & 6th units of KGS is commissioned.

Ashisar alleged that factories in Dandeli are releasing effluent toxins in to river Kali. Companies who are earning huge profits should as part of their social responsibility provide basic needs to the people. It is time to think of the welfare of the farmers and tribals living in the Kali river valley area.

The forest department planted around 500 saplings in Keravadi village.


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News Network
November 17,2024

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Mangaluru: A tragic incident unfolded on Sunday, November 17, at Vazco Resort (VAZCO), situated at Battappadi Cross Road in Someshwara on the outskirts of the city, when three young women drowned in the resort’s swimming pool. 

Disturbingly, an iPhone recording and CCTV footage captured their final moments, providing insights into the heartbreaking accident.

According to City Police Commissioner Anupam Agrawal, the tragedy occurred at approximately 10:05 AM. The victims were identified as:

Keerthana N (21) from Devaraj Mohalla, Hebbal Second Stage, Vijayanagar Post.
Nishitha M.D (21) from 4th Cross, Kuribarahalli, Mysuru.
Parvathi S (20) from Ramanuja Road, K.R. Mohalla, Mysuru.

Sequence of Events

The three women had checked into Room No. 2 of the resort on the morning of November 16 and stayed overnight. On Sunday morning, around 10 AM, they entered the swimming pool to play. Reports suggest that they placed their clothes poolside and set an iPhone to record the activity.

Initial findings indicate one woman slipped underwater and began to struggle. When the second attempted a rescue, she too drowned, followed by the third woman. Within minutes, the tragedy claimed all three lives. CCTV footage from the resort corroborates the sequence, showing the young women struggling before succumbing to the water.

Investigation Underway

The resort staff discovered the lifeless bodies and immediately raised the alarm. Ullal Police Inspector H N Balakrishna and his team are conducting an investigation. Preliminary reports suggest the women were non-swimmers, and the lack of safety measures contributed to the tragedy.

The resort is owned by Manohar, as per police records. While the formal case is yet to be registered, the incident has raised serious questions about safety protocols at resorts offering pool facilities.

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News Network
November 11,2024

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Udupi, Nov 11: The Karkala town police in Udupi have arrested Krishna Naik, the sculptor responsible for installing a 33-foot Parashurama statue at Umikkal Hill in Bailur, Karkala taluk. 

Naik, the owner of Krish Art World and a resident of Bengaluru's Visvesvaraya Layout, was apprehended in Mahe, part of the Union Territory of Puducherry, for allegedly substituting a look-alike statue in place of a genuine bronze figure at the Parashurama Theme Park in Karkala.

Udupi Superintendent of Police Dr. Arun K confirmed the arrest, stating that Naik faces charges under Sections 420 (cheating) and 409 (criminal breach of trust) of the Indian Penal Code. 

This legal action followed a complaint lodged in June by Krishna Shetty, a resident of Nallur village, Karkala. Shetty claimed that Naik had received a payment of ₹1,25,50,000 from Udupi Nirmithi Kendra for the installation of a bronze Parashurama statue. However, Naik allegedly deceived the government by installing a replica instead.

The statue was unveiled on January 27, 2023, by then Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai. Current Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has since ordered a CID investigation to probe deeper into the alleged fraud surrounding the statue's installation at the theme park.

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News Network
November 14,2024

Bengaluru: Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Thursday backed Chief Minister Siddaramaiah over his claim that the BJP had offered Rs 50 crore each to 50 Congress MLAs in an attempt to "topple" the state government.

Addressing reporters here, Shivakumar, also the Congress state president, said, “The BJP indeed lured 50 Congress MLAs with Rs 50 crore each.”

He defended Siddaramaiah’s statement and said the Congress MLAs were briefed about the BJP’s alleged 'Operation Lotus', a term used to describe the BJP's attempts to destabilise ruling governments through horse-trading.

“Some of our MLAs informed the Chief Minister about this matter, and he, in turn, shared it with the media,” Shivakumar said.

At an event in Mysuru, Siddaramaiah reiterated the claim that "none of the Congress MLAs had accepted the offer".

He also accused the BJP of filing false cases against him in a bid to "remove him and overthrow his government".

The BJP has yet to respond to the allegations.

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