Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (MD)

Mangaluru, Mar 20: Armed with waterpots, Sahyadri Samrakshana Sanchaya on Friday March 20 organised a unique protest near the DC's office here, against the Yettinahole project.

Addressing the protestors, Dinesh Pai said, "The money which is being spent on the Yettinahole project can be used for the preservation of water for future. Diversion is a huge threat for groundwater. MP Nalin Kumar Kateel had mentioned earlier in his manifesto that he opposed this project. The copy of the manifesto is still with me. But Nalin has not done anything and it is unfortunate that we have elected a weak MP.

"Therefore, D V Sadananda Gowda, Veerappa Moily and Nalin Kumar Kateel are directly involved in this issue and the people of Dakshina Kannada district should boycott them from entering the district," he added.

Shashidhar Shetty of National Environment Care Federation said that the politicians should work for society and not for themselves. "These politicians are working for the betterment of themselves and they are here for power. In the coming days we are going to hold 'Chenda Movement' where we will protest in front of the politicians' houses," he said.

Kishore from Malenadu Parisara Horata Samithi said, "The Yettinahole project is going to affect the people of Dakshina Kannada district. Almost 13,000 crores have been spent on this project till now and very soon the cost will be increased to 50,000 crores."

Dinesh Holla, convener of Sahyadri Samrakshana Sanchaya alleged that the Yettinahole project is not for providing drinking water, but is a strategy to 'sell the Netravati river and make money'. "It is a shame that the state government has started the work without considering the grievances of the people of the district or the strict opposition from the people here," he said.

"Coastal and Malnad people are depending on the Netravati and the Western Ghats, but the government is in a state of denial and is not considering the protests we held. Cutting down the trees is going to pose a threat to environment and lives of people as well as animals. With all these things, from where will the government provide 24 TMC of water to Kolar and Chikkaballapur?" he said.

Dr Niranjan Rai, Somshekar, Giridhar Kamath, Rajesh Devadiga and others were also present.

Sahyadri Samrakshana Sanchaya showcased a banner on a water tanker stating that 'Veerappa Moily and Sadananda Gowda Water Supply Company-2020, per tanker Rs 25,000.' and a dummy water kiosk that read 'Any Time Water'.

Avinand Achanahalli and team from Roshni Nilaya College performed a street play depicting life without water in future.