Mangaluru: Convener of Sahyadri Sanchaya Dinesh Holla and National Environment Care Federation (NESF) general secretary H Shashidhar Shetty jointly convened a press conference on Wednesday, April 24 and urged seven MLAs and district in-charge Minister U T Khader to immediately stop the Yettinahole project. They also cautioned of holding black flag to them if they failed to stop the project.

Pointing out the drinking water problems of Dakshina Kannada district Dinesh Holla said, “due to the various projects of the government, the natural resources and biodiversity of Western Ghat region has been destroyed over the years, which led to decreased inflow in Nethravathi river. All the nine tributaries of Nethravathi have gone dry. Despite, Dakshina Kannada district being named under the list of drought-hit districts, the government has decided to go ahead with the detrimental Yettinahole project. It is just to loot the treasury of the government that the project is being implemented. “

Holla also informed about the mini hydro projects of the government which have failed due to lack of water. “The government has planned to set up around 260 hydropower projects in Karnataka , in which 26 are likely to come up in Karnataka. Though two power projects namely ‘Mruthyunjaya’ and Nidle power projects are already completed, it has failed. If so, how can the government lift water from Nethravathi river ?”, he questioned.

Shashidhar Shetty said, “ new dam at Thumbe was built in order to meet the water needs of Mangaluru, considering the population of next 25 years. However, within 18 months of the construction, the district administration decided to go for water rationing. It clearly indicates that there is no enough water in Thumbe vented dam and stored water is not enough to meet the needs of people. Hence, elected representatives should stop the ongoing work of Yettinahole project . If not, we will hold black flag to them irrespective of political party”.