Silvester D'Souza

Daijiworld Media Network - Kundapur

Kundapur, Oct 3: "The unscientific Kasturirangan report is anti-people. The central government has issued the 6th notification, which has caused concern among the public. While there is no opposition to implementing the report in dense forests, it should exclude residential areas. A land survey should be conducted to alleviate people's concerns. All representatives will come together to pressurize the state and central governments to address public concerns," said MP Kota Srinivas Poojary.

He was speaking at a massive protest meeting organized by the Kundapur and Byndoor Legislative Constituency Amasebailu and Machattu Villagers' Welfare Committee, held at the Amasebailu Sri Mahabhairavi Durgaparameshwari Temple premises. The protest demanded that residential areas be excluded from the Kasturirangan report.

"The unscientific Kasturirangan report is harmful to people's livelihoods. The then-central government had formed the Madhav Gadgil Committee for environmental conservation, which produced a report. However, the report had several shortcomings and unscientific elements, which led to the formation of the Kasturirangan Committee. The Kasturirangan report was submitted to the central government, which, based on the Supreme Court's directives for environmental conservation, has issued the 6th notification. The people are now aware and are fighting back, with the support of representatives," said Poojary.

Former MLA K Gopal Poojary spoke about how he had previously opposed the implementation of the Kasturirangan report during his tenure as an MLA. He had sent a resolution through the gram panchayat to the central government. "In a previous meeting under the leadership of Udupi Deputy Commissioner, Halady Srinivas Shetty and I opposed the report. Despite this, the report has been notified for the 6th time. Now, the people have become aware and are protesting in various parts against this unscientific report. The concerns have been brought to the attention of the state government and the forest minister. The state cabinet has passed a resolution to reject the implementation of the report. A united struggle is needed to bring a permanent solution to this problem," he said.

Former MLA Halady Srinivas Shetty, who presided over the meeting, expressed his opposition to the report, stating, "No government notification should be anti-people. I fully support the representatives who are fighting against the inconveniences caused by the Kasturirangan report."

MLAs Kiran Kumar Kodgi and Gururaj Gantihole also voiced their opposition to the unscientific implementation of the Kasturirangan report, expressing their readiness to join the people in the protest.

Sathyanarayana Udupa, general secretary of the Udupi district Bharatiya Kisan Sangh, provided an introduction, detailing the problems the unscientific report would cause for the people.

Amasebailu gram panchayat president Mallika Kulal was present on the stage.

R Naveenchandra Shetty Rattadi welcomed the gathering, Ganesh Arasammakanu compered the program, and Chandra Shetty Kela delivered the vote of thanks.