Vivek Rai decries move to allow conversion of farmland

Government should discourage farmers from selling their land to industry, says writer

Writer and president of the Alva’s Vishwa Nudisri-Virasat B.A. Vivek Rai speaking at the inauguration of the four-day literary and cultural festival in Moodbidri on Thursday. Photo: H.S. Manjunath

Writer and president of the four-day Alva’s Vishwa Nudisiri-Virasat B.A. Vivek Rai on Thursday decried drastic increase in farmers selling agricultural land for real estate development and industries.

In his presidential address, he pointed out that permissions were being given to convert agricultural land for non-agricultural purpose. “I have come to know that the State government is coming up with a law permitting use of agricultural land for non-agricultural purpose. This should not be allowed,” he said.

Mr. Rai said farmer should be provided with all facilities and support price for corps. “Conditions should be created to make farmer earn a good living from farming,” he said.

No to Niddodi

He called upon the government to drop the thermal power project in Niddodi near Moodbidri. Mr. Rai said it would be detrimental to the area, which was among the few patches in Dakshina Kannada where paddy was grown. “I am pleading to the State government on behalf of the villagers to drop the proposal,” he said. Mr. Rai said the groundwater in villages around the Nandikur power had turned saline. “You cannot electrocute (destroy) the relationship between people and their land,” he said.

Mr. Rai said there was fear among people of the coastal area about the moves to divert west flowing rivers. The good old sources of water — the water wells, streams and rivers — were drying up.

Efforts should be made to rejuvenate water bodies to resolve water scarcity at the local level. “We should not allow industrial discharge to pollute our western coast, which has been a pride of the country,” he said.

Alva’s Education Foundation Chairman Mohan Alva was critical of the comments made by a section of thinkers and writers about the Nudisiri and Virasat. Mr. Alva said the twin events clubbed this year were meant to unite people. “Do not bring down the image of these two events by raising silly issues.”

Mr. Alva said he was not earning money by conducting the event. “At the end of this event, I will give a complete account of the expenditure and amounts that I have received for conducting this event. Do not be shocked by the money that I have borrowed,” he said.