IISc Prof Ramchandra to talk on Yettinahole project - oct 16

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Oct 15, 2015 :  The Citizens’ Council has organised a talk by T.V. Ramachandra, professor at Energy and Wetlands Research Group, Centre for Ecological Sciences, the Indian Institute of Science (IISc.), Bengaluru, on Yettinahole diversion project at Sanghaniketan, Mannagudda, at 5.30 p.m. on Oct 16, Friday.

A team of experts, led by Prof  Ramachandra, recently released a report titled ‘Environmental Flow Assessment in Yettinahole, where is 24 tmcft to divert?’ under Sahyadri Conservation Series 48.

The report challenged the DPR - detailed project report of Karnataka Neeravari Nigam Ltd., which said 24 tmcft of water was available for diversion from the project.

According to Prof. Ramachandra’s report, water yield in Yettinahole catchment would be only 9.55 tmcft. Only 0.85 tmcft would be available for diversion after deducting 8.7 tmcft required for crops, domestic purposes, livestock and environmental flow to be maintained in the river for sustaining the ecology.

Forests : The report also said nearly 45 per cent of the evergreen forests will be affected by the construction of eight weirs in the catchment area of the Yettinahole diversion project.   The report observes, Yettinahole and its immediate neighbouring catchments fell under the Ecological Sensitive Zone I. As per the recommendations of the High Level Working Group Report on the Western Ghats “there shall be strictly no development activities” in this zone.

It said implementation of the project would lead to water scarcity in Hassan and Mangaluru, while not benefitting Chickballapur and Kolar. The livelihood of Yettinahole and Gundia catchment would be affected severely due to lowered agricultural and fisheries yield similar to the residents of Nellore district with the implementation of the Telugu- Ganga project.