Green Tribunal censures state, Union Governments over Yettinahole

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, Nov 12, 2016 :  The National Green Tribunal has  censured the Karnataka Government as well as the Union Government for  neglecting environment related issues while implementing the  Yettinahole Project.

The Tribunal which  undertook hearing into the petition filed by KN Somashekhar, Purushottam Chitrapur and others opposing the Yettinahole Project,  threw a volley of questions on both the governments.

Legal counsel for the Karnataka  Neeravari Nigam which has been entrusted with the task of implementing the project, told the Tribunal that though  initially it was stated that 600 hectares forest land was needed for the project, at present it has been revised  so that 13.39 hectare forest land is required. There is permission to fell 4,995 trees, he said.

Meanwhile, Advocate General Madhusudan Naik who represented the state, said that the project aimed at providing drinking water to parched districts.

Justice  Swantatra Kumar who immediately intervened  questioned as to what measures have been taken  to plant  saplings    to replace the 2700 trees already  felled. 

The hearing in the case has been  adjourned to December 2