The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Committee sought to save Western Ghats

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Friday, Aug 29, 2008
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Committee sought to save Western Ghats

Staff Reporter

BANGALORE: Save Western Ghats Campaign has appealed to the Government to set up a committee to conserve Western Ghats as the region was a repository of rich natural resources.

Campaign’s State unit convenor told presspersons here on Wednesday that Panduranga Hegde said that forest areas in Western Ghats were receding because of several development projects taken up by the Government.

Destruction of forests in the Western Ghats created several problems in urban areas including drinking water scarcity, he added.

Stating that 73 mini-hydel projects had been proposed in the Western Ghats, he said that these projects would destroy green forests and affect the wildlife.

Mr. Hegde said on the pretext of development of tourist centres, hundreds of acres of forest lands were being destroyed and resorts were coming up in the area, he added.

He said because of these activities the chances of animal-human conflict in the Western Ghats will increase. On completion of 25 years of Chipco movement, “Sahyadri day” will be celebrated in Sirsi in Uttara Kannada district on September 8.

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