Pics: Clement Pais
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (SHS/CLP)
Mangalore, Sep 23: The meet convened to discuss the controversial Yettinahole project by the Chief Minister of the state with the elected representatives of the costal district, sparked a new row with the activists of Netravati Ulisi Horata Samit (NUHS) calling the meet unfair as it did not invite the environment experts from the district and unwillingness to hold the meet in Dakshina Kannada.
Addressing the press, activist M G Hegde from NUHS condemned the move to call the meet at Vidhana Soudha claiming the meet had to be organized in DK. "The government has neither invited nor consulted environment experts or activists from the costal district who have been fighting for the cause of protecting the river," he added.
He alleged that the Chief Minister of Karnataka misled the elected ministers to silence them saying that the Yettinahole project differs from the Netravati river diversion project. "The project could not be materialized both technically and legally due to many hurdles come in the way of the project," he said.
The government, he alleged was buckling to the pressures of the contractors to juice out election fund for clearing the project. The project report says that it would lift as many as 24TMC of water from various streams adjoining the Netravati river. However if any shortage of water from the streams is reported after the completion, the government would try to implement the Paramashivaiah report. In fact, the idea to introduce the project was part conspiracy to realize Paramashivaiah report on river diversion, he argued.
"The government had assured that it would not cut any trees but how is it possible when the project falls in the 18 kms radius in the forest. The Western Ghats will bear the brunt of the project and would derail the eco system," he added.
"The NUHS would hold a massive meeting on September 28 involving religious leaders, social activists, environment activists and leaders from many active associations to draft action plans to intense protests against Yettinahole project," he informed.
Sahyadri Samrakshana Sanchaya coordinator Dinesh Holla, Niranjan and Dinesh Kodiyalbail were present at the press meet.