Karnataka - Mangalore   

MLA suggests LNG for power plant

By Our Staff Correspondent

MANGALORE, JUNE 5. There is a need for a balance between industrial development and protection of environment, N. Yogish Bhat, MLA, said here on Saturday.

Inaugurating a lecture series on the occasion of World Environment Day organised by the Dakshina Kannada Parisarasakta Okkoota, he said industries could function without harming the environment. Industrialisation was one of the means towards development, but concern over the degradation of environment caused by it could not be ignored.

On the concern raised by environmentalists over the setting up of a thermal power plant in ecologically sensitive Dakshina Kannada, Mr. Bhat said the project should run on liquefied natural gas (LNG) to avoid environmental damage.

On the importance of the Western Ghats for the district, he said this biodiversity hotspot should be conserved. Any degradation of the region would affect the natural resources in Dakshina Kannada and the Malnad region.

He said a technology found sustainable in a region might not work elsewhere. He cited the reported statement of the Union Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers, Rehman Khan, that the Union Government was keen on setting up chemical plants in the coastal districts of the State. He called for greater social consciousness to oppose such projects.

On the improvement of civic amenities here with the help of a loan from the Asian Development Bank, Mr. Bhat said only officials with integrity should be given charge of the project, including the setting up of the underground drainage system.

Referring to his recent interaction with the in-charge officials, he said the project consultants with no knowledge of the local needs were dictating terms to the city corporation. The civic body should protect its interests in this regard, he added.

The Mayor, K. Diwakar, who was the chief guest, called for better coordination between politicians and environmentalists. Noting that there were clashes of interests between them, he said they were, however, working towards a common goal. He stressed the need to make children more environment conscious.

K. Somanath Nayak, president of the Guruvayanakere-based Nagarika Seva Trust, said policymakers should implement a report submitted by DANIDA (Danish International Development Agency) on an environmental management plan for Dakshina Kannada.

Reacting to a point made by Mr. Bhat for employment generation through industrialisation, he said any such move should be eco-friendly.

Most of the 30-lakh population of the district was farmers and fishermen, and attempts to industrialise the district and provide jobs to people should not render them unemployed.

Bhojappa Gowda, president of the okkoota, presided over the function. Mr. Bhat distributed saplings on the occasion.

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