CDA organizes workshop to study effective utilization of river water

CDA organizes workshop to study effective utilization of river water

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, May 13: The Coastal Development Authority organized a workshop on effective utilization of river water in the twin districts at the auditorium of Karnataka Bank on May 13, Friday.

 

 

 

 

Speaking on the occasion, Coastal Authority Chairman B. Nagaraj Shetty assured that there is no scarcity of water in the twin districts.

He also revealed some information regarding the Nethravathi river diversion. Stating that he does not know how the term originated, he said that it became so popular that many people, including Dr. D. Veerendra Heggade and Shri Vishwesha Teertha Swamiji of Pejawar Mutt, began opposing the project. Assuring that the Coastal Development Authority has no intention of cheating people by taking away the water meant for them and giving it away to other states, he said that the authority is only working to save water that flows to seas and rivers without getting utilized.

 

 

 

Delivering the introductory speech, Gujjadi Prabhakar Nayak, a member of the Coastal Development Authority, said that the purpose of the workshop is to discuss the Soubhagya Sanjeevini project, launched by the government to effectively use river water. He requested experts to provide their valuable suggestions to make this project a success.

In his keynote address, A. G. Kodgi, the chairman of the task force for implementation of the Third Finance Commission, said that the twin districts and Kodagu are much more developed with regard to other districts in the state. Stating that the district gets 4,500 MCM of rain and has 13 rivers, he said that only 2 percent of water is actually used, which clearly indicates that there is no scarcity of drinking water in Karnataka.

Commenting on the KC Reddy report, he said that experts studied the project and then got in touch with the CM’s advisor in 2007. The advisor asked them to submit the merits and demerits of the project, but unfortunately, the experts used 48 forged signatures against this project.

He urged the experts of the current project to work for the districts’ welfare and avoid misusing the opportunities granted to them through the project.

 

Prof. G. V. Joshi of Justice K. S. Hegde Institute of Management Nitte, said in his address that the people of DK, Udupi, and Kodagu are well aware of the Nanjundappa Committee Report, but have not adopted it in an ideal manner. Observing that the report clearly indicated scarcity of drinking water in the coastal district, he said that experts must work toward conserving water to meet the water requirements of the 3 districts.

Pointing out the differences of opinion between the report and the experts, Prof. Joshi said that while experts stated that large water irrigation systems were not possible, the report said that large water irrigation was possible. He also pointed out the fact that water consumption and the demand for water in the 3 districts have gone up.

Deputy Speaker N. Yogesh Bhat voiced his opinion and said that Nethravathi river diversion is impossible because it goes against the laws of nature.

CDA Secretary Prabhakar Rao was the MC of the programme. Meghana Pai rendered the invocation. MLA Kota Srinivas Poojary was also present at the workshop.