Mangaluru: Minister for Environment and Forest B. Ramanath Rai said that there is no contravention of any law in the work undertaken which is a preliminary one. The stage for environment clearance has not come as yet and no trees have been cut so far.
His statement comes after several voices were being raised over the work undertaken related to the diversion of Yettinahole- a stream joining River Netravathi.
Speaking to reporters after an interaction with the Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Monday, Rai said,” The project proposed to meet the demand of water to regions like Bengaluru, Chikballapur and Kolar, was opposed by us. But legislators from those regions are insisting on this project,” he said.
“The officials from major Irrigation Departments have opined that the project comes upstream and has no link with the Netravathi. Major Irrigation Minister M.B. Patil will be holding a seminar in Mangaluru to clarify the concerns expressed by people from the coastal region. He has assured me of holding the meeting. It will be done,” he said.
Activists have said that the works including laying of the pipeline, have been taken up without taking necessary environment clearance.
KCCI members presented a memorandum to the minister wherein they expressed their opposition to the Yettinahole Water Diversion project after the meeting. The KCCI said due to environment constraints the project was technically unviable and financially not feasible. The needs of people and fishermen living in the downstream were being ignored, the KCCI said.
