'State govt committed for development of Tulu'

Addressing the inaugural of the four-day Vishwa Tulu Sammelan (World Tulu Convention) here on Thursday, the chief minister said that the government has an open mind towards comprehensive development of Tulu language, literature and culture.

“The government is committed to protect the environment, ecology, and biodiversity of the coastal Karnataka. It is in this view, a new scheme for the development of forests of the coastal region has been launched,” he noted.

Home Minister Dr V S Acharya said the government is contemplating a Cabinet decision on recognising Tulu as one of the prominent languages of the State which would help realising the long-pending demand of including Tulu in the VIII Schedule of the Constitution.

Udupi Pejawar Mutt seer Vishweshateertha Swamiji urged the State to scrap the second and third phase of the Mangalore SEZ which would endanger the ecological system of the coastal Karnataka. He also sought the government to drop the proposed Netravathi river diversion project.

D Veerendra Heggade, the chairman of the Sammelana organising committee said the government should declare support price for the horticulture crops of coastal districts, particularly areca.

As many as 25,000 people witnessed the inaugural who also took part in the ‘pride walk of Tuluvas’ that featured around 50 different art troupes.