JOIN US'Save Kodagu campaign' begins on jarring note at T Shettygeri
The proposal to connect Kodagu by rail, besides national highway, witnessed a protest by a group of environmentalists on Saturday here.
A counter protest, however, was staged by T Shettygeri villagers, who were in favour of the developments works in the district.
Hundreds of agitators, who gathered under the banner of ‘Save Kodagu and Cauvery Campaign’, vehemently opposed the proposed plans for surface transport and staged a road block at Kutta for half an hour.
Effect on ecology
Colonel (Retd) C P Mutthanna, who addressed the gathering, said both the plans in the making will prove detrimental to the ecology of the district, with thousands of trees already being felled for high-tension line project. The trees up to lakhs, however, will be axed again for board works in the future, leaving a barren land for posterity.
Convener of United Organisation Kokkale Mada Manju Chinnappa said, “With the extinction of green, the weather pattern of the region will also be altered hampering the rainy season. The district that has never witnessed a drought in the past will be slowly reduced to nothing, as the spectre of bad days has already started with a cry for drinking water.”
The agitators, who remained unmoved, as it rained in intervals, continued their protest under the cover of umbrella.
Other side
Earlier, they had to face a stiff opposition from locals at T Shettygeri en route Kutta.
The rallyists, who were proceeding towards Kutta from Ponnampet, were waylaid at Shettygeri. They were stopped for nearly one hour, before being allowed to proceed. They could move ahead only after they promised to address the concerns of the villagers.
The villagers, who took the environmentalists to task, explained to them the significance of a four-lane road from Ponnampet to Kutta, followed by train connectivity.
“Any opposition to such plans will be fatal to Kodagu. It is already evident with the people in Birunani, Srimangala and Kutta already facing problems due to the opposition to laying of road at Kootiyala,” said the local residents.
“Amid this, the inhabitants of the forest are harassed and being evicted,” the residents alleged.
ESZ
“Instead of opposing such development works, the environmentalists should protest against laws that are proving deleterious to people. Following the plans to bring some villages under eco-sensitive zones, the locals will be restrained from keeping arms. It will prove harmful to lonely families living inside the estates, whose safety and security will be a big concern,” the villagers expressed worry.
BJP taluk unit president Kunhingada Arun Bheemaiah, Maneera Mutthappa, Bottangada Raju, Appachangada Motaiah, Gram Panchayat president Macchamada Sumanth, Kattera Eshwara took part in the protest.