Mangalore, Oct 2: Defining it as another project that will destroy the lush environment of the Western Ghats, several members of Karavali Yuva Sinchana and Non-Government Organisations along with like-minded associations took objection to Yettinahole project proposed on Western Ghats in Hassan district.
Nearly 500 people took out a march from Dr B R Ambedkar circle to Deputy Commissioner's Office, making their opposition known with hundreds of placards reading slogans against the project.
Malenadu Janapara Horata Samithi, President HA Kishore Kumar addressing protesters said, “by calling it a drinking water scheme, the project bypasses stringent forest norms,” he said and added that the project would not only endanger protected animal species but also lead to increased man-elephant conflict.
“It is due to researchers and experts like Paramashivaiah and Shriram Reddy that Gundya area is under eco-sensitive region 1. This project will be disastrous to the Western Ghats,” he said.
Without confirming the status of Gundya mini hydel project in court government has taken move to start Yettinhole project which is a disaster.
“Both projects depend on one major water body and statement of taking up both the projects has raised apprehensions among public,” he said and informed that even when the water is at its highest level, it is not possible to supply 24tmc as proposed by the project.
Talking of the people living in proposed project area, he said that most of the villagers are dependent on agriculture for livelihood and the project if implemented will render them jobless.
Clarifying that they are not against supplying water to neighbouring districts, he said that they only want to protect the eco-sensitive Western Ghats in its pristine form.
“If the Chief Minister is doing people-friendly works then he should stop the proposed project immediately”, he urged.
Comments
Add new comment