Government will not implement projects harmful to farmers – DVS

Mangalore Today News Network

Belthangady: Nov 26, 2012 : Addressing a public rally organized by the Malnad Janahitha Rakshana Vedike and Malnad Janti Kriya Samithi against the proposed Elephant Corridor Project in Subrahmanya, former CM D. V. Sadananda Gowda said that the state government will not permit the implementation of projects that protect wild animals at the cost of farmers.

 

The Elephant Corridor project is to be undertaken by the wildlife division of the forest department.

The rally began at Aniyoor near Neriya and passed through Miyar, Kayarthadka, Arasinamakki, Shibaje, Shishila, Shiradi, and Gundya before ending at Subrahmanya.

Stating that he has discussed this issue with the state forest minister, Mr.Gowda said that he has informed the forest minister to take decisions only after respective officers discuss this issue with the people of 18 project-affected villages. The minister had agreed to this, he said, adding that the government will never implement projects without public approval.

Further, he said that a UNESCO team, which visited India in 2010, conducted a survey and recommended the inclusion of 39 forests into the Elephant Corridor Project. They submitted this report to the central government, which forwarded it to the state government for study. The state government then rejected the proposal in assembly as it would be dangerous for farmers. He said that gram sabhas will be held in Subrahmanya and public opinion will be collected.

Koragappa Naik, president of the Zilla Panchayat, flagged off the jatha.

Kishor Kumar Shiradi, convener of the vedike, said that the authorities had issued notices to villagers living in the project area, adding that after the public organized protests, projects such as Greater Talacauvery, Pushpagiri Sanctuary, and others were withdrawn. 

Listing out the dangers of the Elephant Corridor project, a BJP leader said that several villagers will lose their land and thousands of villagers will lose their means of livelihood.

Keshava M., president of the TP; Dhanalakshmi Janardhan, ZP member; and others were also present.