Bantwal: Yettinahole Project amidst opposition of environmentalists quietly takes off at Sakleshpur
Bellevision Media Network
Bantwal, 28 Aug 2015: We are afraid to stage struggle… please don’t do video recording. I give you all info… you all know what is happening…. this is what the protesters of Yettinahole diversion project said to media men.
The ambitious project of Karnataka state administration, diverting the water from Yettinahole and other tributaries in Western Ghat to supply 5 districts feed pooling the water already begun. It was aggressively executed when Shiradi Ghat was closed for vehicular traffic for concreting the Ghat section of national highway. It has changed the landscape of villages in and around Sakleshpur within 4 months, says Dinesh Holla, president of Sahyadri Conservation Movement. Two contracting firms – Amrut and Megha are building dams and laying pipeline on state-owned lands and on private properties. Huge pipes are dumped all over the area.
The huge pipes with a diameter of 3 meters are stored in strategic spots at Sattigal, Hebbanahalli and Hebsale, while the expert welders employed by Mumbai-based company are working on the site.
It’s an attempt to extinct the origin of Netravati River. The project will not benefit none because it’s executed with the vested interests. It will cause catastrophe to fragile Western Ghat.
- Kishore Kumar, president, Malnad Janapara horata Samiti, Sakleshpur
The minister said that he would not allow to fell any trees for executing Yettinahole project, while several trees are felled illegally to execute the works. No cases are filed in court so far.
- Dinesh Holla, president of Sahyadri Conservation Movement, M’luru