Yettinahole: D K Shivakumar urges environment minister for nod to forest diversion

Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Tuesday called on Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav and sought early clearance for the revised forest land diversion proposal under the Yettinahole project. 

The project aims to supply drinking water to drought-prone areas of south Karnataka. At the meeting, Shivakumar — also the water resources minister — said the state government had, on June 4, submitted a proposal to the union ministry of environment and forests (MoEF) seeking green nod for the diversion of 111.02 hectares (revised from 173.31 hectares) of forest land in Tumakuru and Hassan districts in favour of Visvesvaraya Jala Nigam Ltd.

The proposal was deliberated upon by the advisory committee of the MoEF on June 24. 

On July 7, the inspector general of forests raised EDS (essential details sought), a formal process used by the union ministry during appraisal of projects that require environment or forest clearances.

“EDS compliance report is being prepared and will be submitted to the Centre for approval. We request your intervention to ensure that in-principle stage one approval for Yettinahole project is accorded at the earliest,” Shivakumar said in a representation to the minister. The deputy CM said the project will benefit 75.59 lakh people in seven districts, helping fill up 527 tanks to their 50% capacity and recharging groundwater.

The union minister promised to give clearance to the project at the earliest, the deputy CM later told reporters. 

He also met Jal Shakti Minister C R Patil and sought speedy approval for the Mahadayi project and early notification of the final award of Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal. 

Separately, Shivakumar discussed disputes around river projects with the legal team of the state’s water resources department at the Karnataka Bhavan.

Agriculture Minister N Chaluvarayaswamy and additional chief secretary Gourav Gupta were present at the meeting.