Locals opposing the Netravathi diversion project
Mangaluru: Giving greens and locals opposing the Netravathi diversion project in Karnataka a shot in the arm, Narmada Bachao Andolan leader, Medha Patkar on Friday was apprehensive about its likely impact on the ecology and the people.
“You cannot just divert a river like drawing a line on a map. It has its own impact,” Ms Patkar told reporters here when asked for her views on the Netravathi project. The activist who was speaking to the media after inaugurating the boat rally organised by the National Fishworkers’ Forum, said unless there was complete impact assessment and public consultation, decisions taken would not be rational , but only political.
“Local people don’t mind water sharing. But if you divert the river and the downstream is left dry and dead , what do you achieve? You are diverting water from farmers to industries in the name of drinking water and irrigation,” she reasoned.
When asked if she would join the fight against diversion of the Netravathi, she said she would have to first study the issue.
Ms Patkar, who had contested as an AAP candidate from Mumbai North East Lok Sabha constituency in the recent election, said she was finding it too Delhi-centric for her liking now. “I think the party would do better if in between elections it concentrated more on people issue, movements and struggles,” she maintained.
( Source : dc )
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