KURNOOL: The co-convener of Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) K. Chandrasekhar Kalkura, has said the organisation would launch `Save Hundri'' movement to protect the river.

He said the Hundri, which finds a place in ancient scriptures as Hyndravathi, is on the verge of extinction following the construction of Gajuladinne project. One would appreciate the efforts of the Government which constructed a project in the dry Kodumur and Pathikonda zone. But the Gajuladinne project was causing serious social and ecological problems, he said.

Before the project came up, the Hundri was a perennial river, which flowed even in peak summer meeting the water needs of 50 villages. The river bed generated income for thousands of families who grew water melon and musk melon during the summer. After the project, every drop of water was being stored in the reservoir paralysing the economy and posing a threat to the livelihood of the people in the river bank villages.

Serious disputes were arising over water sharing as social outlook lacked in distribution. Mr. Kalkura said the arguments against supply of drinking water from Gajuladinne often pained them as Kurnool city which existed on the bank of Hundri had a right to draw water from the river for its drinking needs.

Mr. Kalkura said the organisation would take up a movement to keep the river flowing through out the year by ensuring discharge of water from Gajuladinne in small quantities.

Only the flood should be impounded but authorities should take all measures to keep the river flowing throughout the year.

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