Mangaluru, Oct 2: With the aim of bringing all like-minded organisations and individuals opposing the Yettinahole (Nethravati river diversion) project under a single banner, over 20 organisations came together to form Nethravati Nadi Samrakshana Okkoota (Nethravati River Conservation Union) to jointly fight for the cause of saving Nethravati river and Western Ghats in the coming days.
Announcing this at a press conference here on Friday, Dr Niranjan Rai, who was chosen as the convenor of the union said that like-minded organisations and associations from various parts of Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Sakleshpur had come together to form the union. Associations such as Malenadu Janapara Horara Samiti, Sakleshpur, Nethravati Ulisi Horata Samiti, Uppinangady, Jeevanadi Nethravati Ulisi Horata Samiti, Mangaluru, Sahyadri Sanchaya, Mangaluru, Kannada Katte, Mangaluru, Tulu Rakshana Vedike, Mangaluru, Nethravati Ulisi Horata Samiti, Belthangady, Rashtriya Parisara Samrakshana Okkoota, Mangaluru, Malenadu Youth Association, All College Students’ Assocation, Mangaluru, Arivu Samvaada Kendra, Bantwal, Nethravati Nadi Samrakshana Vedike, Bantwal, Bantwal Taluk Nyayapara Samiti, Swaroop Research Centre, Mangaluru, Malenadu Janahitha Rakshana Vedike, Shiradi, Kannada Rakshana Vedike, Mangaluru, Raitha Sangha, Mangaluru and individuals such as agriculturist leader Vijaya Kumar Hegde from Udupi and Raghunath Rao from Puttur, had offered their full-fledged support in opposing the Yettinahole project, he said, adding that all the above mentioned associations would intensify their struggle in the coming days to urge the government to shelve the disastrous project.
He informed mediapersons that a massive protest and ‘Rasta Roko’ programme would be organised by various associations under the banner Nethravati Nadi Samrakshana Okkoota at Mahaveer Circle at Pumpwell junction on October 15.
Despite a written undertaking by the Karnataka Neeravari Nigam Limited (KNNL) before the National Green Tribunal that they would not continue work on the Yettinahole project till the environment clearances are obtained for the project, work is ongoing in Sakleshpur taluk in Hassan district. This is a violation of the Tribunal by the government, which is cheating the people of the coastal region. The union strongly condemns the arrogant attitude of the KNNL officials who are confident of obtaining the necessary environmental clearances, he said.
He also said that the union and various associations planned to visit each gram panchayat in the affected areas within November 15, to urge them to take a collective decision to oppose the project.
Activist Dinesh Holla from Sahyadri Samrakshana Sanchaya said that the government was bent on implementing the river diversion project amidst opposition even from organisations in Chikkaballapur district. It looks like the government wants to implement the detailed project report prepared by Paramashivaiah committee. The entire project is a money-making project. To stop the government from implementing other harmful projects in the future, we will demand that the entire region from Kudremukh to Pushpagiri as Nethravati Conservation Zone, he said.
He informed that the union and member associations would put up a total of 500 banners opposing the Yettinahole project in private properties on the main stretches in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Sakleshpur to create awareness on the project.
Leaders of members associations have been selected as joint convenors on the newly-formed union. Shashidhar Shetty and several other leaders and representatives were present on the occasion.
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