Revive tanks instead of Yettinahole, govt told

Sahyadri Sanchaya Convener Dinesh Holla  claimed that Kolar and Chikkaballapur districts are facing dearth of water due to negligence in reviving the ground water-level inspite of warnings given by the experts in 1997 itself.

As the districts receive good rainfall, instead of Yettinahole project, the government should think of spending the same amount on rejuvenation of tanks to store the rain water.

Addressing media persons here on Monday, he said that a report submitted by the Deputy Commissioner (Kolar) and Regional Remote Sensing Service Centre, ISRO (Bengaluru) in 1997, the experts had expressed concern about the maintenance of tanks.

“The water table which was at 40 feet in the year 1965 had declined to 400 feet in 1992. There is a possibility of further decrease in the water table in coming one/two decades, if the boewells are dug at the same rate in the district”, the report states.

“The report is infact true and Dakshina Kannada is facing the same situation now. Ground water level has declined from 9.78 metres to 17.40 metres in past 10 years in Mangaluru. In 20 years DK will face same situation like that of Kolar, “ he expressed concern.

Shashidhar Shetty said that the when the state government declared 90 per cent subsidy for bore wells, huge number of bore wells were dug in Kolar and CB’pur. As a result the ground water-level dipped from 300-400 feet to 1200 feet. The actual reason for the decrease in ground water-level should be studied and encroachment of lakes should be cleared. They should chart out projects to utilize the rain water, he added.

Dinesh Holla said, anti-Yettinahole protest will be broadened in the days to come.“People of Mangaluru, have understood the importance of Nethravathi River. Awareness will be created among students about the importance of the Western Ghats. Frequent visits to the Western Ghats would help in this regard,” he added.

Tulunadu demand

“Tulunadu demand is the final weapon to fight Yettinahole.If the government does not consider any of the demands and fails to stop the project, the protestors have no other way,” he stated.

“A few have expressed their concern by showing Tulunadu flags during Kannada Rajyotsava and this won’t affect the movement,” he added. Members Rajesh Devadiga, Kateel Dinesh Pai, Harish Adyar, Madhav and Swapna Noronha and others were present.