Mangalore, July 31, 2013: It is imperative to conduct proper carrying capacity of the coastal districts before any new industries are set up, senior seer of Pejawar Adhokshaja mutt Vishvesha Thirtha said. People of the coastal districts are getting a feeling that the state government is taking them for a ride by foisting industries which are harmful to the fragile eco-system of the district, he said, referring to the proposed plan to set up an ultra mega power project at Niddodi near here. 

Interacting with media on the sidelines of a 'Guruvandana Tulabhara' organised for him by the Kalkura Foundation here on Tuesday, the seer said: "People in Udupi are experiencing problems from the 1,200-MW Udupi power project at Nandikoor even now. When their concerns are yet to be addressed, it does not make sense to set up an ultra mega power project, nearly four-times the size at Niddodi and within stone's throw distance from Nandikoor." 

Drawing strength from assurances given by minister for environment, ecology, and forest B Ramanath Rai, who is also Dakshina Kannada district in-charge, and K Abhayachandra Jain, minister for youth affairs and sports and fisheries, representing Mulki-Moodbidri assembly constituency where Niddodi is centred, against the project, the seer said: "We will take their assurances as an 'abhaya' and hope that the project will not come up here." 

Admitting that he is yet to visit Niddodi where agitation against the power project is gathering steam, he said: "This is the right time to stage a protest. Things will get out of hand once the project gets off the ground," he said, adding if Mathrubhoomi Samrakshana Samiti, that is spearheading the protest against Niddodi project approaches him, he would lend his support. "I will definitely join the agitation after my chaturmasya at Bijapur starting Wednesday gets over." 

Advising the samiti that their protest must not lose steam at any cost or turn violent, the seer said nothing will come out of violent protests. "Look at what has happened to the cause taken up by the Naxalites using violence in Karnataka," he said. The seer also opined that the move to take up diversion of 'excess' water of the Nethravathi through the Yettinahole project will have serious consequences for the district and there should be proper review of the same. 

Tulabhara 

The seer was weighed against coins offered by devotees and organisers. Weighing a constant 40 kg as he weighed at last year's Tulabhara, the seer carried on his lap, his 'patta devaru' Rama Vittala. "The Tulabhara offered is to my presiding deity and not to me," he said. The idol of Rama Vittala contained in two boxes weighs around 2 kg and the seer is never weighed alone. Pradeep Kumar Kalkura of Kalkura Foundation arranged the event. 

Source: The Times of India, July