Greens in Kodagu have red-flagged K.C. Venugopal, AICC general secretary in charge of Karnataka, and have accused him of pushing for infrastructure projects that are detrimental to Kodagu district.
In a letter to AICC president Rahul Gandhi, the Coorg Wildlife Society (CWS) accused Mr. Venugopal of “misuse of office” for pushing for the 400 kV high tension power line to Kozhikode through Kodagu, which led to the felling of nearly 60,000 trees.
Importance of Kodagu
Kodagu is the principal catchment area of the Cauvery and Mr. Venugopal is now trying to use his influence to get approval for the Mysuru-Tellicherry railway line through Kodagu, which is not only unnecessary, but will only serve powerful vested interests and the axing of thousands of trees, said Col. C.P. Muthanna of the CWS, who is also the coordinator of ‘Save Kodagu and Cauvery Campaign’.
‘Destructive projects’
“At a time when there is a serious dispute between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu regarding the sharing of Cauvery waters and when thousands of farmers in the region are committing suicide due to the vicious cycle of drought and debt, it would be disastrous to even contemplate such destructive projects through Kodagu that contributes over 70% of the total inflow into the KRS dam,” said the letter addressed to Mr. Gandhi.
It has sought the removal of Mr. Venugopal, with immediate effect.
