Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB)

Udupi, Sep 28: Preserving and protecting the Hemavati river from pollution is the only way to prevent the Yettinahole Integrated Drinking Water Project, said Ravindranath Shanbhag, president of Human Rights Federation, Udupi.

Delivering a talk on the controversial Yettinahole project Vaikunta Baliga College, Kunjibettu here on Monday, September 28, Dr Shanbagh said, "Hemavati river of Mudigere flows for 245 km. This river has been polluted by domestic and industrial waste. If we succeed in cleaning and preventing this river from being contaminated, there is no need for the Yettinahole project. This is the only solution and the choice we have right now.

"The purpose of Yettinahole project is to meet the water requirements of Chikkaballapur and Kolar districts and the government has promised to supply 24 TMC of water, but as per studies, only 9 TMC of water can be available," he added.

Regarding the project report, he said, "As per the detailed project report (DPR) prepared by the Karnataka Neeravari Nigam Ltd (KNNL), there is a plan to build a reservoir near Devarayanadurga at Tumakuru that can hold 10 TMC of water. The remaining 14 TMC of water is to be utilized for drinking purpose in Hassan, Chikkamagaluru, Tumakuru and Bengaluru Rural. Apart from this, small irrigation plans have been mentioned in the project report.

"There is a plan to construct eight weirs in two phases at Yettinahole and its three tributaries, Kadumanehole, Keerihole and Hongadahalla. It requires 370 MW of electricity for lifting the water but the river depends on the rain to replenish the weirs. A proposal has been also sent on power generation project, which will be located where it suits."

Shanbhag further said, "Before executing the water project, the government must study and prepare the environmental impact assessment report. Over a million trees will be felled as a result of this project, and an earthquake might occur after many years due to deforestation and underground pressure in places like Sullia, Bantwal, Beltangady and other places."

"It took as many as 35 years to build canals on both sides in Varahi project, so this project may take not less than 50 years to complete the protecting wall," he added.

Narayana Udupa, secretary of Raita Kisan Sangha opined, "The Varahi canals have been damaged, hence few farmers get water for irrigation. Lobbying between farmers and contractors is going on in connection with the fight against UPCL."

"The government has to either stop the Yettinahole project or focus on cleaning Hemavati river. If students start awareness campaign on installation of effluent treatment plant in order to save Hemavati river, it would be better rather, than going ahead with the Yettinahole project," he said.

"At present, youths are gaining awareness about the Yettinahole project. The ongoing project will never get completed," Ravindra Shanbhag concluded.