Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (RD)

Udupi, Dec 26: No transparency is being observed in the proposed setting-up of coal-based thermal power plant at Yellur by Nagarjuna Group. The proposed plant has been forcibly imposed on the residents of undivided Dakshina Kannada district, who are living on the eco-sensitive foot hills of Western Ghats along the shoreline of Arabian Sea, stated a letter written to Achim Steiner, executive director of United Nations (UN) for environment conservation programme, by Balakrishna Shetty, honorary president of Nandikur Janajagruti Samiti and NRI businessman.

The proposed power plant would consume nine thousand tonnes of coal thereby releasing fly ash, sulper dioxide, nitric oxide and other pollutants into the eco-sensitive region. Accordingly, Balakrishna Shetty has urged Achim Steiner, to have high-level talks with Indian representative in UN in this regard.

Moreover, he has highlighted the guidelines of union environment authority, not to implement such projects in the eco-sensitive regions of coastal Karnataka, unless the detailed studies are being done on the bearing capacity across the region.

The administration of Nagarjuna Power Corporation lies with Lanco which is owned by an MP who enjoys significant role in the union government.  Hence, Lanco seems to wield it’s authority without any hindrance while the officers seem to follow the orders with least regard for the natives, the letter stated. 

The residents are forcibly evicted while a few are denied access.  The forests are recklessly cleared in connivance with the forest officials.  The flow of streams are restricted with embankments which is likely to cause water woes for irrigation of paddy fields and plantations, stated Balakrishna Shetty’s letter to Achim Steiner.