The State government does not want to assess the impact of the Yettinahole Integrated Drinking Water Project on the environment because it says such a study is not mandatory for a drinking water project. However, while popularising its irrigation projects through an advertisement in the media, the government states that Yettinahole is an irrigation project. Environmentalists in Hassan have opined that the advertisement, published in major dailies on February 2, has exposed the government.
Minister’s assurance
Minister for Water Resources M.B. Patil, during his meeting with farmers in Sakaleshpur in December 2014, had said that the project was purely for drinking water purpose. Water drawn from the Yettinahole would not be utilised for irrigation, he had said, and made it clear that the name of the project was altered to suit the purpose. Earlier it was called Yettinahole Diversion project.
Environmentalists, at a press conference here on Friday, displayed copies of the advertisement released by Karnataka Neeravari Nigam Ltd. (KNNL). The KNNL states in the ad that the Yettinahole project would provide water for agricultural land. “When we demanded a study on the project’s impact on environment, the government said there was no need for it as drinking water projects were exempted from holding such a study. But the government, in its advertisement, states the opposite,” said H.A. Kishor Kumar, president of the Malenadu Janapara Horata Vedike.
Environmentalists suspect that the government named it a drinking water project only to avoid environment impact and social impact studies and public hearing. “Moreover, we are being criticised for opposing the so-called drinking water project. Congress MLA Ramesh Kumar, in his speech in the Legislative Assembly, termed environmentalists as inhuman,” Mr. Kishor Kumar said.
Instead of pushing projects that damage environment, legislators should visit Rajasthan to study water conservationist Rajendra Singh’s work. “Let them visit Rajasthan and learn what best can be done to tackle drinking water problem,” he said.
Status quo
A Sakaleshpur court has ordered status quo on the project following a petition filed by farmers. “All work regarding the project have to come to a halt immediately. If anybody continues the work, we will move court against them,” Mr. Kishor Kumar said.
Hurudi Vikram, S.M. Manjunath and Ballu Gopal were among those present.
Government named it a drinking water project only to avoid environment impact and social impact studies and public hearing, allege environmentalists
