Newskarnataka – Mangalore

By Sandhya Soans

Mangalore: The National Environment Care  Federation organized a protest agitating over the Nethravathi diversion project on Monday March 3, in front of the DC office.

Addressing the media personnel Shashidhar Shetty, a leader of the Federation strongly condemned the government for deciding to implement the Yettinahole Project.

He  said, “Nethravathi is the lifeline of Dakshina Kannada district in the coastal region. However, the Karnataka Government has taken a unilateral  to divert the river, which if implemented will affect the common man adversely.”

“The ministers can afford mineral water but the public is reliant  on the river water,” he said sarcastically.

Mariama Thomas   in her address said though usually there is  no water issue in the month of December and January, the pinch of water scarcity  is felt  by the end of March. If the  project is implemented then it is sure to give rise to water problem before December end.

She also said, “We vote, so that the ministers would  work for our welfare. But  in reality they add  to our misery. Despite opposition and protests by several organizations, the government is least bothered and is going ahead with the foundation laying.”

She warned that the protest would be intensified if the government does not pay heed to the demand.  Dr Annayya Kulal and many others  of the Samiti were present during the protest.