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Leaders from various sections of society came out with a demand for separate Tulunadu state at a protest to oppose the Yettinaholey river diversion project in Mangaluru on Thursday.
The ‘Forum for Protection of Nethravathi River’, which includes various organisations opposing Yettinaholey project, blocked the National Highway no. 66 at Pumpwell Circle in Mangaluru city for around three hours on Thursday.
Speaking on the occasion, Vijayakumar Shetty, former MLA from Mangaluru North constituency, who is opposing the project, said that the project will not help the Kolar and Chikballpur districts of the State. In fact, it will affect the lifeline of Dakshina Kannada district -- Nethravathi River. Yettinaholey is one of the tributaries of Nethravathi River.
The move to implement the project without taking the interests of people of coastal belt may lead to the demand for a separate Tulunadu state comprising of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts. These two coastal districts contribute a maximum share to the revenue of the State, he said.
Other leaders, including religious heads, also reiterated the demand for a separate Tulunadu state at the protest. (Tulu is predominantly spoken in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts of Karnataka.)
Niranjan Rai, convener of the forum, said that any damage to the eco-sensitive western ghat region and Nethravathi will have a major impact on the culture and economy of coastal districts. The government is exhibiting step-motherly attitude when it comes to the issues related to coastal districts, he said.
Resolution
Terming the detailed project report prepared by the Karnataka Government as unscientific, a resolution adopted at the protest march said that the ₹13,000-crore project is bound to fail. The project, if implemented, will lead to the damage of the eco-sensitive western ghat region and lead to the destruction of river water sources there.
The resolution said that the people of coastal Karnataka are aware of the drinking water problem in Kolar and Chikballapur districts of the State. In such a situation, the Government should spend the money earmarked for Yettinaholey project to rejuvenate the natural water tanks in those districts and for rainwater harvesting.
Traffic affected
Vehicular traffic on NH 66 in Mangaluru and its surroundings was affected during the blockade. Police took the leaders of the forum to custody and later released them.
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