<p>Chikkaballapur: Members of the Vishwa Manava Hakku Seva Pratishthana and environmental activists have expressed strong outrage over the rising commercial activities, including the construction of a ropeway, at Nandi Hills in Chikkaballapur taluk.</p><p>They have demanded that the cabinet meeting scheduled on July 2 at Nandi Hills discuss the threats facing the site and take appropriate decisions.</p><p>Speaking at a press conference in Chikkaballapur on Monday, environmental expert A N Yellappa Reddy said, “Nandi Hill is a sacred place just like the Himalayas and the Sahyadri. It possesses unique natural resources not found elsewhere in the world. Commercialisation in the name of tourism is increasing here. If commercial activities surpass tourism, the hill will suffer irreparable damage.”</p><p>He also condemned the state government’s decision to build a ropeway in the buffer zone of the Arkavati river’s origin. </p><p>Nandi Hill is the birthplace of five rivers. Lamentably, the rivers are being destroyed. Large-scale mining for sand and gravel is taking place around the hill. Earlier, the rivers used to keep flowing for ten months a year. But now, they have almost vanished.</p><p>“Who is responsible for the murder of these rivers?” he asked</p><p>He also alleged that illegal and large-scale mining operations happening around the hill with permits were causing damage through blasting. “The mafia is controlling this,” he said.</p><p>“Mahatma Gandhi had visited the hill to improve his health. People visited the blessed Yoga Nandeeshwara temple standing on the hill. Was this not tourism? Does tourism mean only boozing, eating carelessly and throwing plastic waste haphazardly?” he wondered.</p><p>Vishwa Manava Hakku Seva Pratishthana president C D Kiran said, “Nandi Hills is a sacred place where good environment and spirituality converge. It is a hill that touches the clouds and has a very high oxygen concentration. It is ironic that we are fighting to save rivers in a place that sustains the water cycle and gives life to five rivers.”</p><p>He added that commercial activities should be kept to a minimum here. “Elected representatives show no concern for the environment. We have now reached a point where we must demand action,” he said.</p><p>He said they have approached the court opposing the ropeway construction. “The court has issued notices to the government, but the construction continues,” he lamented.</p><p>Pratishthana working president Rafique, Chikkaballapur APMC Flower Traders’ Association president Mustooru Sridhar, lawyer Jyothi and farmer Kyatappa were also present at the press conference.</p>
<p>Chikkaballapur: Members of the Vishwa Manava Hakku Seva Pratishthana and environmental activists have expressed strong outrage over the rising commercial activities, including the construction of a ropeway, at Nandi Hills in Chikkaballapur taluk.</p><p>They have demanded that the cabinet meeting scheduled on July 2 at Nandi Hills discuss the threats facing the site and take appropriate decisions.</p><p>Speaking at a press conference in Chikkaballapur on Monday, environmental expert A N Yellappa Reddy said, “Nandi Hill is a sacred place just like the Himalayas and the Sahyadri. It possesses unique natural resources not found elsewhere in the world. Commercialisation in the name of tourism is increasing here. If commercial activities surpass tourism, the hill will suffer irreparable damage.”</p><p>He also condemned the state government’s decision to build a ropeway in the buffer zone of the Arkavati river’s origin. </p><p>Nandi Hill is the birthplace of five rivers. Lamentably, the rivers are being destroyed. Large-scale mining for sand and gravel is taking place around the hill. Earlier, the rivers used to keep flowing for ten months a year. But now, they have almost vanished.</p><p>“Who is responsible for the murder of these rivers?” he asked</p><p>He also alleged that illegal and large-scale mining operations happening around the hill with permits were causing damage through blasting. “The mafia is controlling this,” he said.</p><p>“Mahatma Gandhi had visited the hill to improve his health. People visited the blessed Yoga Nandeeshwara temple standing on the hill. Was this not tourism? Does tourism mean only boozing, eating carelessly and throwing plastic waste haphazardly?” he wondered.</p><p>Vishwa Manava Hakku Seva Pratishthana president C D Kiran said, “Nandi Hills is a sacred place where good environment and spirituality converge. It is a hill that touches the clouds and has a very high oxygen concentration. It is ironic that we are fighting to save rivers in a place that sustains the water cycle and gives life to five rivers.”</p><p>He added that commercial activities should be kept to a minimum here. “Elected representatives show no concern for the environment. We have now reached a point where we must demand action,” he said.</p><p>He said they have approached the court opposing the ropeway construction. “The court has issued notices to the government, but the construction continues,” he lamented.</p><p>Pratishthana working president Rafique, Chikkaballapur APMC Flower Traders’ Association president Mustooru Sridhar, lawyer Jyothi and farmer Kyatappa were also present at the press conference.</p>
