Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi
Udupi, Nov 1: Sri Vishwesha Theertha Swamiji of Pejawar Math on Thursday, November 1 said that he will fast for a day on November 10 when the district will be observing a dawn to dusk bandh in protest against ban on sand extraction.
Swamiji met members of Maralu Horata samiti who are protesting for an eighth day in front of DC office in Manipal. “Excess sand extraction is harmful to the nature. We need agriculture and industry, but it should go hand in hand. Kerala flooding was the example as how the nature can react to anti-nature activities,” he said.
“If there is no sand, there will be no development in the district. At the same time nature and the environment should not be get affected because of it,” he added.
He chanted ‘Vishnu Sahasranama’ on the protest ground and prayed that sand issue gets solved in a positive manner. “Let this issue get a scientific end. May SC/ST community people also get permit to extract sand. Let the state government and officials take action to solve the problem,” he added.
K Raghupati Bhat, Udupi MLA, Sudhakar Amin of Sand and Boat Workers’ Association, Raghavendra Shetty, president, Lorry Drivers and Owners’ Association also spoke on the occasion.
Sheela K Shetty, vice-president, zilla panchayat, M G Nagendra, convener, sand committee, Ansar Ahmad, district president, KRV, Jerry Vincent Dias, president, builders’ association, Krishna Rao Kodancha and others were present.