Mangaluru: The Tulunada Rakshana Vedike organized a jatha to save Netravati river, from Venkatramana Temple here, on September 3.
Prior to the jatha, a prayer service was held at the temple. The jatha was flagged off by the president of Tulunada Rakshana Vedike Ramachandra Baikampady and M G Hegde.
Addressing the people of DK district, Ramachandra said that the former CMs from Dakshina Kannada district are the proponents of Yettinahole river diversion project. He said, “For political power and vote bank, they have assured their constituency people to provide water from our land. According to that, they have won the election but the people of DK have lost their battle to retain the river from being diverted.”
He also said that people of DK are against this project. “The fishermen community will be badly affected from the project because in December, the water from the Netravati river will not flow to the sea and at that time, the sea water will flow towards Netravati river, making it salty. In Mangaluru, people face water scarcity; if we allow the project to continue, in the future people will face severe water crisis.” He said that fish breeding occurs in the months of June and July but if the river water will be diverted, there will not be any fish breeding. We have to join hands to oppose the project, he added.
He urged the people of DK to join hands together to fight against the Yettinahole river diversion project.
Advisor of TRV, M G Hegde said that on 2 September Vinay Kumar Sorake in a TV interview claimed that the Yettinahole river diversion project was discussed with the people of DK. But the meeting was held in Bengaluru with selected leaders, while keeping out activists who opposed the project from the meeting. He also said that those who drink water from the Netravati river should come out of their houses and fight against the project. “When the government is snatching the Netravati river from us, why are the people of DK not raising their voices? We have to strengthen our fight. Health Minister U T Khader, District Minister In-charge Ramanath Rai should call for a meeting in DK and build confidence among the people regarding this project. MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, Janardhan Poojary, MLA J R Lobo and MLC Ganesh Karnik called press meets and expressed their opinions about the project. If they are really against the project, let them come out of their offices and join hands with the people of DK and protest against the project. It is the duty of every individual to protect the Netravati river from being diverted,” he said.
Founder president TRV Yogish Shetty Jeppu, Jyothika Jain, Dr K A Muneer, Hamid Hasan Madoor and others were also present.
Also Read:
Mangaluru: If Yettinahole River Diversion Project Harms DK, I Will Not Support it – MLA J R Lobo
Mangaluru: Former BJP and Congress CMs from DK proponents of Yettinahole project – Janardhan Poojary
Puttur: Highway Blockade and Protest over Yettinahole Project at Uppinangady on Sep 15
Mangaluru: Green Tribunal in Chennai Declines to Issue Stay on Yettinahole Project
Hassan: Sakleshpur JMFC Court Stays Work on Yettinahole Project
