Krishna Raja Sagar Reservoir
Mysuru: Various organisations including farmers and like-minded people came under one roof opposing the proposed Disneyland project and illegal mining at Krishna Raja Sagar reservoir and surrounding areas (Baby Betta). The members also decided that awareness about adverse effects of the proposed project must be created at even village level and get a resolution at the local Gram Panchayat level.
The members under the banner ‘Cauvery KRS Horata Samithi’ also decided to take up the Disneyland project issue on the lines of Chamalapura project in Chamarajanagar which was stopped by the state government after severe opposition from the people not only from across Mysuru and Chamarajanagar but also from across the state. The members also decided to take out intensive protests at Mysuru, Mandya and Bengaluru. During the meeting, writer Devanur Mahadeva also called upon the members to take support of the youths and come out with Vidyarthi Andolan. The members are up in arms against the proposed Disneyland project, statue of Cauvery and rampant and illegal mining near KRS dam.
In a meeting held at the Agricultural Marketing Institute here on Saturday, December 8, the members expressed their anguish over the government’s plan to spend Rs 2000 Crore to build Disneyland like amusement park in over 400 acres of land at KRS dam. Farmers warned that a relentless agitation would be launched if the Disneyland plan was not dropped and if no concrete steps were taken against illegal mining at Baby Betta. Heritage expert Rangaraju, after briefing about how KRS dam was constructed and what were the materials used for its construction, said, “The dam is not constructed by using only iron and cement. Materials like sand, egg, egg shell, jaggery and sea shell are used after keeping them for 15 to 20 days. Hence the government should not give any permission for huge constructions within 50 km radius of KRS. The proposed project will compromise the safety of the dam and should be dealt with seriousness.”
Social activists Pa Mallesh said, “Following reports of illegal mining in Baby Betta, 60 to 70 of us visited the area. The area has been dug up for upto 300 ft to 400 ft. KRS dam is just located just 2 km away from the mining location. If the mining continues we will not be able to control the water flow from KRS. The water will flow smoothly to Tamil Nadu. Drilling for upto 100 ft depth will cause the dam structure to vibrate.
Few members also mentioned that already the dam was damaged by 40 percent and further abuse of ecology here will affect water supply to Mysuru, Mandya and Bengaluru who are dependent on KRS for drinking water as well.
Stanley of Odanadi called upon the members to make use of social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp to create awareness about the adverse effects of the proposed Disneyland project so that more people including youngsters raise their voice against the project.
