‘Vote for those who understand the problems of Malnad’

Malnadu Samrakshana Vedike has appealed to the voters in Malnad to cast their votes only to those candidates who understand the problems that exist in Malnad areas.

Speaking to media persons here, Malnadu Samrakshana Vedike President Kalkuli Vittal Hegde urged the voters in Malnad to vote to only those candidate who responded to their problems sincerely.

He said the people in the region strongly oppose Kasturirangan report as it not only restricts the development work and but also the agricultural activities in the Malnad areas.

Deemed forest

Hegde said in Chikkamagaluru district 1,39,000 acres of land was declared under deemed forest. It has created hoards of problems for the residents.

He said that the development work has been prohibited in the areas in 10-kilometre radius of national park. Following which many areas in Sringeri, Hornadu, Karkala and Belthangady are facing problems.

Hegde said that 1,620 acres of land which was initially handed over to Kudremukh National Park was now given to Dandeli railway project. This has completely closed the doors for the development in the revenue land that is available.

He added that several Central government-sponsored programmes like reserve forest, bio garden, medicinal plant garden, national park, Tiger reserve, eco-sensitive zones are targeting only Malnad region and thus, making the people in the area one of the worst sufferers.