Silvester D’Souza
Daijiworld Media Network – Byndoor (EP)
Byndoor, March 10: “Snatching the livelihood of farmers, labourers and the forest animals for the sake of industries is not a right move. Destroying forests for industries adversely impacts the environment and affects the daily lives of people. Therefore, barren land or land with suitable facilities should be provided for industries,” said Jayashreekrishna Parisara Premi Samithi president L V Ameen.
He was speaking in the Parisara Rakshisi – Jeevana Ulisi campaign and protests held by Jayashreekrishna Parisara Premi Samithi, Vanadurga Raitha Shakthi group and Halageri Parisara Hitarakshana Vedike at Mahalasa cultural hall here on Thursday, March 10.
The Samithi vice president Nithyananda Kotian said that providing justice by way of campaigns is the goal of the committee. “We have been campaigning for the last two decades and have been able to reach just conclusions. We are not against industries but they should be started in places where problems for forests and farmers will not be created,” he urged.
Khambadkone gram panchayat president Sukesh Shetty said that officials have given away land for industries without bringing it to the notice of gram panchayat. “All the members have opposed it. We will support all the protests in this connection in the future,” he said.
Samithi vice president Ramachandra Baikampady, Akhila Bharata Tulu Okkoota president Dharmapal U Devadiga, Dr Subrahmanya Bhat, Mumbai Devadiga Sangha president Ravi Devadiga, Mumbai Devadiga Sangha former president Hiriadka Mohandas, Samithi chief secretary Surendra Salian, Kirimanjeshwara gram panchayat former president Subbanna Shetty, member Ishwar Devadiga, Kollur Mookambika temple managing committee former member Narasimha Halageri and retired bank manager Udaya Kumar Shetty opposed converting forest land for industries.
Vedike campaigner Nalin Kumar Shetty said, "We can live if forests are preserved and protest for them."
Vanadurga Raitha Shakthi group convener Prabhaker Shetty welcomed. Samithi chief secretary Surendra Salian proposed a vote of thanks.