Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (SP)

Mangalore, Feb 28: Dakshina Kannada district in-charge, environment, ports and fisheries minister, Krishna Palemar, said that he is opposed to the ‘Paschima Vahini’ project, which involves pumping of water from Yettinahole rivulet, a tributary of River Netravati, for supplying the same to districts located in the plains on the other side of the Western Ghats. The project is a part of an elaborate plan to divert rivers which originate in the Western Ghats and then flow to the west.

“The fact that a sum of Rs 200 crore was proposed to be set aside for the project in the current year’s budget, had not come to my notice before the budge presentation. Any way, I will collect opinions from experts on the issue before announcing my final decision. We cannot support a project in which dam is proposed to be built at the origin of a rivulet for providing water to far away districts. The department of environment will never issue a no-objection certificate to projects which can prove environmentally hazardous,” he said. Palemar was speaking to reporters during his participation in a programme at Pajeer Beejaguri on Sunday February 27.

It may be recalled that several experts and dignitaries, including Dharmasthala Dharmadhikari, Dr D Veerendra Heggade, have opposed this project, citing its far-reaching impact on ecology and environment of the sensitive Western Ghats, and its likely adverse affects on the agricultural and drinking water needs of Dakshina Kannada district.