BARAPOLE PROJECT IN BORDER: AREA: KAVERI SENE OPPOSES

Madikeri Feb. 25

Barapole hydal project which was dropped due to protests and Court directions a several years back has now got relife , which is practically seen.

About 21 Mega vats electricity produced will be utilized in Kerala state. The Kerala Govt. through the Kerala Electricity administrative wing has started the earth work and other preliminary work to construct a big dam to Barapole in the border area.

Ravi Chengappa, the convener of Kaveri Sene organisation who visited the spot with the scribes explained that the spot is clearly situated in Brahhmagiri reserve forest situated in Nagarahole Games sanctuary belt. The project will destroy the whole environment in more than one thousand hectare area in the Brahhmagiri belt- he confirmed. Further, the project submerges hundreds of acres of farm land, growing land in B.Shettigeri, Birunani, Kuthunadu, Biruga, Theralu, Shrimangala and Hudikeri villages.

When the project was to get life a several years back, some environmental organisation leaders have moved the issue in Supreme Court of India. The Court had directed to stop the project in the interest of preserving the nature in the precious green belt. Now, the Kerala Govt. Has ignored the Court directions and silently implementing the controversial project.

According to the Kaveri Sene leaders Ravi Chengappa and Palekanda Ratna Kaverappa,

the whole project is beneficial to kerala state and creates adverse affect in South

Kodagu in Karnataka. During the survey and starting of the project in the border area a

few years back an agitation committee was formed in Kodagu and serious

anti movement warned the Electricity administrative board. The project was then

Seemed to be stopped. However, the process is again commenced. The South

Kodagu residents, especially farm community may start the agitation. Ravi

Chengappa has suggested the local representatives to take up the issue,

Otherwise with the support of other orgasnisations and the people the

agitation will again start- he cautioned

TWO PHOTOS

CAPTION 1.WORK: WORK GOING ON IN THE AREA

2. BARAPOLE: A VIEW OF THE RIVER BARAPOLE