Yettinahole Project: Shivakumar seeks early nod for forest land diversion proposal

New Delhi, Jul 8 (PTI) Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar met Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav on Tuesday to seek early in-principle clearance for the revised forest land diversion proposal under the Yettinahole Project, which aims to supply drinking water to drought-prone areas of South Karnataka.

In the meeting, Shivakumar -- who is also in-charge of water resources ministry -- said the state government had on June 4 submitted a proposal to the Union Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF) seeking green nod for the diversion of 111.02 hectare (revised from 173.31 hectare) of forest land located in Tumkuru and Hassan districts in favour of Visvesvarayajala Nigam Ltd.

The proposal was deliberated by the advisory committee of MoEF on June 24 and later on July 7, the Inspector General of Forests raised EDS (essential details sought), a formal process used by the Union ministry during the appraisal of projects that require environmental or forest clearances.

"Compliance to EDS is being prepared and will be submitted to Government of India for approval. We kindly request your intervention to ensure that in-principle stage one approval for Yettinahole Integrated Drinking Water project is accorded at the earliest," Shivakumar said in a representation made to the minister.

The Deputy CM said implementation will benefit 75.59 lakh people in seven districts, helping fill up 527 tanks to their 50 per cent capacity and recharging the groundwater table, he added.

Separately, Shivakumar also discussed legal disputes about river projects with the legal team of the state water resources department at the Karnataka Bhavan.

State Agriculture Minister N Cheluvaraya Swamy and Additional Chief Secretary Gourav Gupta were present in the meeting. PTI LUX LUX KSS KSS