Addressing a press conference here on Saturday, he said that it was not possible that the Yettinahole and Nethravathi projects were distinct, as Yettinahole was the main tributary of Nethravathi. The state government has tried to implement similar projects in the state before - including a dam across Bhadra river and diversion of Varahi and Chakra rivers which are tributaries of Sharavathi - the results of which can be noted today, he said.
He said that diverting Yettinahole would result in lesser-flow of water in Nethravathi which would affect the thriving agriculture and fisheries in the coastal district. If this project is implemented, it will lead to the destruction of the ecosystem in Sahyadri mountain range, he said.
Having written a letter to the Karnataka chief minister urging him to withdraw the ambitious project, he said that the government had responded by stating that the project was still in its initial stage. In their reply, the government has conveyed that a committee has been formed to study the pros and cons of the project under the chairmanship of G S Paramashivaiah, who had prepared the Nethravathi diversion project report in the first place. He should not be included in the recent committee formed to study the pros and cons of the project, he urged.
Urging that the state government to pulling away from the project, he said that he had submitted an objection letter to the Chief Minister in this regard.
He expressed his suspicions that Union Minister for Environment and Forest Veerappa Moily had given environmental clearances to the project, solely for political gains.
He also stated that he would extend his support to other organisations who were also against the project if they approached him.
Comments
Add new comment