Sullia: Protest against river diversion by Bellare residents

Mangalore Today News Network

Sullia, Oct 09, 2015:  A large number of residents and students took part in the protest against Yettinahole Project at Bellare town in Sullia taluk on Oct 8.  Protest march was held under the banner of Netravathi Horata Samiti. Members of various organisations took part in the march from Panchalingeshwara Temple to the Bellare bus stand where a public meeting was held.

Addressing the protesters, Odiyur Gurudevananda Swami said it was important to oppose projects that cause destruction to nature. Any project that goes against nature has not been successful. Diverting water from Yettinahole would extensively damage ecologically sensitive Western Ghats, which cannot be allowed.

The swami urged the State government to stop the project and devise an alternative project to meet the drinking water needs of arid regions of Kolar, Chikkaballapura, Tumkuru and Bengaluru Rural districts.

Activist Kishore Kumar Shirady said they were ready to make any sacrifice and court arrest for the cause of saving the Netravathi and Western Ghats.

MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, Sullia MLA S. Angara, Dakshina Kannada Zilla Panchayat President Asha Timmappa Gowda participated in protest march and the meeting. Students from Peruvaje Shivaram Karanth First Grade College, Bellare Secondary School and Jnanadeepa School participated in protest march.