Daijiworld Media Network - Karwar (SB)

Karwar, Sep 12: The Western Ghats Task Force has requested Chief Minister B S Yeddurappa not to permit Indian Navy to conduct its trials in Netrani Island near Murdeshwar here.

In a letter to the Chief Minister, Task force chairman Ananth Hegde Ashisara has stated that Navy, without the State’s permission, has been conducting bomb trials without giving prior information to the local residents.

“The island has been declared as a biodiversity hot spot by the Karnataka Biodiversity Board declaring it as Natural Heritage Site. The government must write to union defence minister not to allow Navy to carry on any of its activities in the island,” Hegde said in the letter.

“Uttar Kannada district has 148 km of coast from Karwar to Bhatkal. Already 23 km is already under the control of Navy. If Netrani too goes into the hands of Navy, then it would amount to giving the entire Karwar to Navy. The island is not only fishermen’s paradise, but also a sacred place for them,” Hegde stated.