Coorg News – Consolidated News & Views

VIRAJPET, Apr. 4: The granite mining at Nangala village in Bittangala Gram Panchayath limits reportedly has several shortfalls in the environment grounds, hence the villagers are demanding its immediate closure. Ravindra – advocate who leads the opposition group speaking to press persons here informed that based on the complaint against the mining activity with the Pollution Board, an inspection from the Board revealed several shortfalls in the criteria pertaining to air pollution from the mining area. He said that the report from the pollution board has recommended for the immediate closure of the granite mining based on pollution caused due to the activity.
Ravindra, continuing informed about the meeting held between the opposers and the promoter of the granite mines at the office of Pollution control Board in Mysore recently. He said that though the head of the Air Pollution Control division had recommended for the closure of the mining activity in Nangala – no efforts to close the unit is being done. They demanded explanation over the silence of the police department, over recommendations of the Pollution Control Board and demanded immediate action to stop its activity.

Source: CoffeLand News

In a rare show of unity, politicians in Kodagu have made a common cause with local residents in opposing three mini hydro-electric projects.
It is a matter of regret that the newly appointed district in-charge minister Ramachandre Gowda should have spoken in favour of the projects.
Mr Gowda, a senior BJP leader from Bangalore, has made a name for himself for championing the causes of the people. He has been quoted as saying that the projects would not cause much damage as they were mini power projects.
Probably, he has been misled on the need for setting up such projects by those who have bagged the contract for executing the projects.

The projects are proposed to come up at Irupu, Abbey Falls and Barapole. Already people have begun protests.
In a positive development, leading Kodagu politicians M.C. Nanaiah, M.M. Nanaiah, and Arun Machaiah, have opposed the projects.

They have opposed the projects on the ground that it would cause severe environmental damage, when compared to the meager quantity of power proposed to be generated.
The politicians also hinted that the projects were being taken up mainly to serve the interests of the promoters of the projects, rather than providing benefits to the local community.

Public agitations have started near Irupu with people from Srimangala, Kutta and Harihara taking out processions. Well-known environmentalist K.M. Chinnappa who also participated in the agitation, pointed out to a Supreme Court ruling which barred hydel projects near places of worship. The proposed project would definitely affect the sanctity of the Rameshwara temple at Irupu Falls.
It is time, the authorities are reminded about the environmental fragility of the Western Ghats.
Even the United Nations has commended the role played by the local people in preserving the “sacred forests” (Devarakadus) of Kodagu and decided to pump in funds for their preservation.
It is time, the people exposed the game plan of the contractor-politician lobby.
The government should also think of tapping alternative sources of energy, instead of going in for hydel projects.

Source: CoorgTourismInfo.com