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

Mangaluru, Oct 17: Dr T V Ramachandra, scientist in the Energy and Wetlands Research Group, Centre for Ecology and Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, on Friday October 16 presented a talk on the controversial Yettinahole project and said that instead of going ahead with the project, the government should look to rejuvenate the lakes and ponds in Kolar and other districts and take steps for conservation of rainwater. He also stressed on the importance of green cover in order to have sufficient water.

The talk on 'Yettinahole project - A scientific survey' was organized by the Mangaluru chapter of Citizens' Council at Sanghaniketan here.

Dr Ramachandra made a PPT presentation on his study of the Western Ghats and Uttara Kannada as well as the Yettinahole project. "For more than 40 decades, I have made a study on Western Ghats from Kerala to Gujarat. As a scientist, I have a social responsibilty to address the problems of the society. A scientist does not have affinity for any language or territory, but he only wants to put facts in front of the society. I prepared a report on Yettinahole project one-and-a-half years ago when I made a study on Kumaradhara and Gundya river basin. This report was done not sitting inside an AC room but after thorough field research and study."

Taking examples of projects built on other rivers, he said that dams built on Kali and Sharavati rivers had ecological consequences. "There was 70 percent of forest land in Uttara Kannada and it was the highest in India. In 1979, the green cover over Uttara Kannda was 67 percent, but now it has reduced to 37 percent. This is a great tragedy. In the year 2000, there was 70 percent forest land in the Western Ghats, but by 2014, it came down to 61 percent, that is 9 percent of forest land in the Western Ghats was destroyed in 14 years.

"If you want water, it is very important to preserve the green cover of the land. We will get good food if there is good water," he added.

"Kolar is facing drinking water problems because it has lost the green cover and water is contaminated with flouride. The lakes should be rejuvenated by dregding or other methods. In Kerala the rainfall has reduced because of the effect on biodiversity," he said.

"Environment Assessment Survey has become a major fraud not only in Karnataka but in the entire country. The state government is spending a huge amoung on advertisements to say that I am not an authority to speak on environmental issues. I am an authorised scientist and director of IISc Anurag Kumar in his letter to Cheluvaraju, chief engineer of Karnataka Neeravari Nigam Ltd (KNNL, which is handling the Yettinahole project) himself said so. I am also a fellow member of Hydrogy Institute of India. If I am not an authority on the subject, why did the state government consult me on Bengaluru sewage water project?" Dr Ramachandra said.

"They have measured rainfall in Yettinahole based on calculations in a private coffee estate. This is nothing but a suit-boot and loot group - a nexus of contractors and bureaucrats. Who are the bureaucrats to question my integrity? Science is to unite people and not to polarise them like politicians do," he added.

He also slammed the detailed project report (DPR) on the Yettinahole project and said availability of 24 TMC of water as projected was an unrealistic figure.

"Decentralize water harvesting and rejuvenate lakes - this is the only solution to water problem. Kolar and Chikkaballapur receive good rainfall annually but the water is not conserved. Conversation and management of water is very important. When you plant trees, you will get water," he said.

During the question-answer session, MP Nalin Kumar Kateel who was among the audience asked Dr Ramachandra whether 24 TMC of water would be obtained from the project and whether it could be pumped through the pipes, to which the scientist replied, "Presently, 6 TMC of the available water is used for drinking and other needs by the people of Dakshina Kannada, and 1.85 TMC should be maintained for ecological flow, hence only one TMC can be lifted. If this quantity of water is pumped, only air will flow through the pipes."

Former MLA Yogish Bhat asked if desalination of sea water could be an alternative solution, to which Dr Ramachandra said, "The government should stress on rejuvenation of ponds and lakes and then think of desalination as it is very expensive. It should be the final resort after all other methods are tried."

Earlier, Yathiraj vice-president of Tumakuru Science Centre, addressed the gathering and said, " This is a controversial project and it has created fear and anxiety among the people. The government is in a hurry to execute the project without any clearance, and the urgency is a threat and danger as it is being done without discussing the consequences or the impact of the project.
The merits and demerits of the project should have been discussed before implementing the projec.
Though a case has been filed in the Green Tribunal and KNNL has given undertaking that it will not continue the project, the work is going on and money has been spent on it. The court has been misled.

"The forest department has failed to stop the project under the Forest Act. It has failed to do its duty The district incharge minister (Ramanath Rai) has failed to fulfil his responsibility as forest minister and has not lived up to the oath he took," he said.

"Four cases have been filed in the National Green Tribunal. The affidavit filed by KNNL is a violation of law. There are many water disputes in the country. Water conservation is essential and the government should seriously think about this and come up with a state water policy. It is painful that the government has not set up any committee for this," he added.

Sunil Acharya, president of Citizens Council, Mangaluru, Naresh Shenoy and others were present.