Sahyadri Samrakshana Sanchaya Stages ‘Kodapana Chaluvali’
Mangaluru: Sahyadri Samrakshana Sanchaya staged a protest “Kodapana Chaluvali” in front of the DC office against the Yethinahole river diversion project here, on March 20.
Addressing the protesters, member of the National Environment Foundation Sashidhar Shetty said that without the consent of the people of the district and without any research, the state government has started the Yethinahole river diversion project work, which is an insult to the people of the district. “River Netravathi that originates in the Kudremukh range of western ghats and flows into the Arabian sea holds a priceless natural heritage linked to the Karavali coast of Dakshina Kannada district. The spiritual devotion and culture of Tulunadu breathes through the course of River Netravathi. The Netravathi is a power of inspiration of livelihood to the farmers, fishermen and agriculturists of Tulunadu.
Sashidhar also said that politicians are the representatives of the people. “They should work for the welfare of the people, but unfortunately the politicians are working for their own benefit. If the Yethinahole project will not be stopped, we will intensify our protest. We will take our protest in front of the politicians’ houses,” he warned.Dinesh Pai, speaking to the protesters said that instead of spending money on
Dinesh Pai, speaking to the protesters said that instead of spending money on Yethinahole project, the government should invest on water harvesting and preserving water for future utilization. “Diverting the Yethinahole river is a great threat for the future. By diverting the river, the people in the district will face acute shortage of water.” Dinesh also recalled the promise of opposing the Yethinahole project, which was made by MP Nalin Kumar Kateel in his election manifesto which he has forgotten after winning the election. “At present, the project is being pushed by Veerappa Moily, DVS and MP Nalin; these three leaders should be banned from entering the district.”
The convener of the SSS, Dinesh Holla said that the people of the district have supported the political leaders during the elections and the same leaders are deceiving the people by supporting the Netravathi river diversion project. “The most interesting question is whether after setting up huge infrastructure, investing over thousands of crores of rupees and causing irreparable damage to the Western Ghats and the environment, is it really going to solve the drinking water problem of the people of Kolar and Chikkballapur?” he questioned.
Roshni Nilaya students performed a stage play on “Life without water”. P V Mohan, Rajesh Devadiga, Giridhar Kamath, Somshekar, Dr Niranjan Rai, Avinand Acchanahalli and Dinaker Shetty were also present.