Mangaluru: The opposition against the Yettinahole Project has taken another turn with an environmentalist taking up the cudgels against the state government. In a bid to save 4995 trees and 1332 bamboo groves in 13.93 acres in Sakleshpur range K N Somashekar has obtained a stay from the National Green Tribunal (NGT) against the government order on November 7.

On a nod by the union forest department its state contemporary had given its permission to fell trees for the execution of Yettinahole project offering drinking water supply to Kolar, Chikkaballapur, Ramanagara, Bengauru rural, and Hassan districts.

K N Somashekhar, with the support of advocates Prince Issac and Ritwik Dutta raised objections with the green bench that the forest ministry’s order permitting the felling of trees was in gross violation of the laws and regulations meant for forest conservation. The bench was also apprised of the institutions meant to finance Yettinahole project had backed off on the same basis.

After issuing the stay order in the absence of Purushottam Chitram, counsel for city corporator, Justice Swatanter Kumar has adjourned the hearing to November 11. During the next hearing the Karnataka Neeravari Nigam Ltd is expected to counter the stay order.