JOIN USCycling campaign to save Nethravathi
More than 60 cyclists pedalled their way till the point of confluence of River Nethravathi with the Arabian Sea on Sunday, expressing concern over the destruction of forests following the implementation of the Yettinahole project.
Wearing T-Shirts with the message ‘Save Nethravathi’, the members of the Mangalore Cycling Club (MACC) and Mangalore Bicycle Club (MBC) started their ride from outside the Mangaluru City Corporation office. The rally was flagged off by the Sahyadri Sanchaya convenor Dinesh Holla.
Addressing the cyclists at the confluence point at Ullal, Dr Niranjan Rai, the chief convenor of the Nethravathi Nadi Samrakshana Okkoota, said that the people of Dakshina Kannada district were not against denying water to the arid districts. “The Yettinahole project, however, is being implemented by destroying the evergreen forests of the eco-sensitive Western Ghats. Let the government take water from River Nethravathi from Bantwal by laying pipelines, but not by constructing weirs in the Western Ghats,” he said.
‘Incomplete work’
The hidden agenda of the Yettinahole project is not to provide drinking water, but to loot public money in the name of the project, he complained. “The Karnataka Neeravari Nigama Limited (KNNL) is executing the project, although it is yet to complete the Varahi irrigation project in Udupi,” he reminded.
The cyclists rode through PVS Junction-Bunts’ Hostel-Mallikatte-Bendore-Kankanady Circle-Pumpwell Junction route to reach Ullal.
Cyclist Anil Shet said that cycling was a nature-friendly activity as it does not harm Nature in any manner. “So, cyclists have decided to exhibit their solidarity with the environment through the rally,” he explained.