HASSAN: Environment groups who assembled in Hongadahalla village in Sakleshpur taluk on Monday launched a "padayatra" in the Western Ghat area, which they allege will be affected by the Gundia hydro-electric project and mini-hydel projects.

Activists of organisations including Malenadu Janapara Horata Samithi; Vriksha Laksha Andolana; Samagra Vikasa Vedike, Vanya Jeevi Sangha; Janamukhi Sanghatane; Cauvery Sene; Samvada; Zilla

Vijnana Kendra and Paschima Ghatta Ulisi Andolana started visiting villages in Sakleshpur taluk to create awareness about the impact of hydel projects on the flora and fauna of the Western Ghats, one of the 18 hot bio-diversity spots in the world.

A.S. Kumar, a native of Hongadahalli, flagged off the "padayatra' by watering a plant on the premises of a local temple. Implementation of Gundia Hydel Project and more than 10 mini-hydel projects would cause great damage to the ecology of the Western Ghats. Karnataka Power Corporation Limited (KPCL) was not clear on rehabilitation of the evacuees. Those evacuated for the Kali and Sharavathi projects were still facing problems, he said.

`Press demand'

Mr. Kumar called upon the people to participate in the "padayatra," and urged them to mount pressure on the Government against implementing the Gundia project, which was set to generate 300 MW of power, and other mini hydel projects.

Hosabeedu Hoovaiah of Cauvery Sene claimed credit for stalling the hydel project envisaged to harness the waters of Abbe Falls in Kodagu district.

He said that the Gundia project could also be stalled through an organised Agitation, and that the organisation would extend all support in this regard.

Referring to the plight of evacuees of Kali project, Y.B. Ramakrishna

of Samagra Vikasa Vedike alleged that KPCL's concept of rehabilitation was only construction of a colony. It was not interested in creating a self-sufficient environment for the evacuees, he alleged.

Shankar Sharma, a consultant, said it was true that the State was facing shortage of power, but it was not necessary to set up hydel projects to meet the shortage at the cost of ecology. The problem could be solved by opting for non-traditional forms of energy.

The project could be stopped by convincing the corporation in the light of "failure" of its experiments in Kali and Sharavathi, he added.

Environmentalist Goddu Umesh said those supporting the project should give a thought to the ecological damage it would cause.

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