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The Hindu
9 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Saundatti Yallamma temple to developed as tourist pilgrimage centre, says Minister
Saundatti Yallamma temple to be developed into a pilgrimage and tourist centre of importance, Minister for Law, Parliamentary affairs H.K. Patil said in Belagavi on Friday. He told officers to start working immediately and complete various projects in time. He said two government bodies had been created to ensure comprehensive development of the temple and the town of Saundatti. Around ₹118.3 crore will be spent on the project including special grants and the PRASAD scheme. The infrastructure development includes laying or repair of roads in and around the town, and development and rejuvenation of water bodies. Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Roshan said the project includes construction of a queue complex, two multi-purpose halls, toilet blocks, cattle resting stations and fodder centres, open kitchens bathrooms, information centre, mega canteen, primary health centre, a waste management unit and digital information boards. A hi-tech parking system, Anma Dasoha Bhavan, commercial shops, and an administrative building will also be built. The Minister asked officials to take action as per the decisions taken in the recent meeting held in Saundatti, regarding the implementation of the master plan. Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer Rahul Shinde, Superintendent of Police Bheemashankar Guled, Sri Renuka Ellamma Tourism Development Board Chief executive Officer Geetha Kaulagi, Joint Director of Tourism Department Soumya Bapat and officials from various departments were present in the meeting.
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Lifestyle
- The Hindu
Farmers, environment activists protest against Kalasa-Banduri projects in Karnataka
Members of various farmers organisations and environment protection groups held a 'Rally for Belagavi' to protest against Mahadayi basin projects, in Belagavi on June 3. Activists demanded an immediate halt to all work going on in the Mahadayi basin, including issue of land acquisition notices and laying large pipelines for the lift irrigation projects. The rally started from the government Sardar High School ground. Participants held placards and posters stating: 'Save water, save Western Ghats', 'Save Mahadayi, Save Malaprabha', 'Stop Mahadayi basin work' , 'Our water, our right'. They shouted slogans like 'We do not want the Mahadayi river diversion project', 'If Mahadayi is saved, then Malaprabha will be saved', 'Don't divert our Mahadayi, let it flow freely'. They marched through Rani Channamma Circle to the office of the Deputy Commissioner. They submitted a memorandum to the government of Karnataka opposing the Mahadayi basin projects, through DC Mohammad Roshan. 'Bhimagarh Wildlife Sanctuary in Khanapur taluk is a very important part of the Western Ghats. It is a globally recognised ecologically sensitive site. It is home to tigers, bears, hyenas, and other wildlife. It is also responsible for rainfall in Khanapur region, that is the birthplace of rivers. Any project in the region will demand cutting of trees and submergence of forest areas. It will threaten the bio-diversity. It could lead to drying up of rivers and desertification of northern Karnataka. The Kalasa-Banduri canal diversion projects will damage the Western Ghats forests in Khanapur. The projects must be abandoned,' they stated in the memorandum. Environmentalist Suresh Heblikar said, 'Western Ghats had contributed greatly to south India. They need to be protected and preserved at all costs. These evergreen forests are home to several species of trees and wildlife. If the canal diversion project is implemented, the Western Ghats will be negatively affected, and rainfall will decrease. This will hit the agricultural sector badly. We will have to beg for food. Therefore, this project should not be implemented.' Environmentalist Dilip Kamath said, 'The Naviluthirtha dam built on the Malaprabha river has filled just four or five times in the last 40 years. This is due to the destruction of forests in Khanapur taluk, which has led to reduced rainfall. All rivers originate in the Western Ghats. If projects that are harmful to the environment are implemented in such places, how will the rivers survive? 'Any river should flow throughout the year. However, due to forest destruction, the Malaprabha is flowing only during the rainy season. The river must flow in the future too. This project should not be implemented if the next generation wants to have water. We are fighting for the environment, not as agents of the Goa government.' Ridhima Pandey, the 17-year-old environmental activist, said she had decided to join the rally after studying the whole issue. 'I have come here today to support the efforts of environmentalists of Belagavi who have been fighting to save our rivers, forests and ecosystems for many years. We should realise that without forests, without trees and without water, we humans have no existence. We should not only participate in the march, but should participate in the initiative to save the environment. No matter how much money we earn, no matter how big infrastructure we build, in the end, it is the trees that are going to keep us alive. I hope that today's mass movement will be a change-maker. We should become the voice of these silent trees and rivers.' Chandrashekhar Shivacharya swamiji of Hukkeri Hiremath said, 'I have participated in this struggle for the sole reason that the environment should be preserved. Since ancient times, sages have preserved forests for the welfare of the human race. If forests are degraded, not only will wild animals and insects be destroyed, but one day the human race will also become extinct. Man should stop harming nature in the name of development. This project should be cancelled as diverting the water of the Mahadayi river will destroy the forest in Belagavi district, and will have a negative impact on the ecology of entire northern Karnataka.' Shivaji Kaganikar, environmentalist, said that a large number of citizens, farmers, students and nature lovers, had joined environmental activists as they care deeply for the rivers, forests and the soil. 'The Earth is our mother and we need to pass it on to our children as it is. We have no right to defile it. If we think of accumulating wealth for our next generation, we have to leave behind a liveable environment also,' he said. MLA Asif Sait, who arrived at the protest site, listened to the demands of the environmentalists. He promised to place their demands before the government of Karnataka. Activists Lingaraja Jagajampi, Nagendra Prabhu, Nitin B., Sujit Mulagund, Amrit Charantimath, Neeta Potadar, Ravindra Bellad, Prem Chowgula, Captain Nitin Dond, Rajeev Topannavar, Anand Desai, Geeta Sahu, Nyla Coelho, Sharada Gopal, Sanjeev Kulkarni, Ayub Zakati, Latif Khan Pathan, and Prashanth Kamath were among the participants.
Time of India
5 days ago
- General
- Time of India
PoP Ganesha idol ban in Belagavi opposed by artisans
Belagavi: In a proactive move to safeguard natural waterbodies, the Belagavi district administration imposed an early and strict ban on the preparation and sale of plaster of paris (PoP) Ganesha idols ahead of the Ganesh Chaturthi festival, which is scheduled in August. Ganesh Chaturthi, celebrated on a grand scale in Belagavi, involves the installation and immersion of thousands of Ganesha idols across the city and district. Concerned about the environmental impact of PoP idols, the administration directed artisans to switch to eco-friendly materials and use only natural colours in idol decoration. Deputy commissioner Mohammad Roshan recently held a meeting with local idol makers, urging them to comply with the guidelines issued by the Pollution Control Board. Following this, the Belagavi City Corporation (BCC) scheduled a separate meeting with city-based idol makers for Thursday, to reinforce the directive. "We have planned the meeting with the idol makers on Thursday, after which an official notification banning PoP idols will be issued," confirmed Hanumant Kaladagi, environmental engineer at the BCC. However, the move drew criticism from local artisans. Members of the Belgaum Murtikar Sanghatana, an association of idol makers, expressed dissatisfaction, stating that the administration's blanket ban does not consider the unique situation in Belagavi. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo "In Belagavi, all Ganesha idols are immersed in artificial tanks, and not in natural waterbodies. So, there is no threat of pollution to lakes, wells, or streams," argued a member. The ban particularly impacts the manufacture of large-sized idols, which are predominantly made from PoP. Over 80 mandals annually install grand Ganesha idols in public places for the 10-day festival, culminating in a massive procession and immersion on the 11th day. Idol makers contend that crafting such large-scale idols from clay is often impractical due to their weight and propensity to develop cracks, which is considered inauspicious. PoP idols, in contrast, are lighter and more durable.
Time of India
30-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
KRV holds massive protest against Hidkal dam water diversion
Belagavi: Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (KRV-Narayana Gowda faction), led by district president Deepak Gudaganatti, organised a massive protest rally in Belagavi on Friday against govt's approval to divert 45 MLD of water from Hidkal dam to industries in Hubballi-Dharwad. Hundreds of protesters, holding the Kannada flag, gathered at Channamma Circle in the morning and formed a human chain. Later, they marched towards the deputy commissioner's office and submitted a memorandum to DC Mohammad Roshan. Speaking on the occasion, Deepak Gudaganatti demanded that govt withdraw the approval for water diversion immediately. He also warned that govt and the district administration would be held responsible if something went wrong, as the issue is very sensitive. "Govt shouldn't play with fire," he said. "Considering the haste and the manner in which the water diversion project is being implemented, it appears suspicious. Initially, the work of laying the pipeline commenced without any approval. Even the district administration and the district minister were unaware of the project. It only came to light after farmers started opposing the pipeline work on their fields. It looks like some invisible hands are working behind the project to favour it," he said.
The Hindu
30-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
KRV protest against Hidkal dam water diversion
Members of Karnataka Rakshana Vedike ( Narayana Gowda ), held a protest in Belagavi on Friday, against the State government's decision to divert Ghataprabha river waters from Hidkal dam in Belagavi to the industrial area in Dharwad. Bare chested activists and women carrying empty pots marched from Channamma circle to the Deputy Commissioner's office. Protesters, holding the red-yellow Kannada flag, raised slogans against the State government. They formed a human chain at the circle and stopped traffic for some time. They tried to forcefully enter the Deputy Commissioner's office by climbing over barricades. But the police stopped them. Later, protestors submitted a memorandum to Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Roshan. They accused the State government of favouring rich industrialists over poor farmers. The State government has allowed industries to draw 45 million litres per day from the Hidkal dam. This is like sucking out our life blood, said Deepak Gudaganatti, district president who led the protest. He demanded that the government withdraw the approval for water diversion immediately. He also warned that the State government and the district administration would be responsible if anything went wrong, as the issue was very sensitive. 'The state government should not play with fire,' he said. 'If the government wants to promote industries, let them do it in Belagavi district alone. It should not spend tax payers' money of ₹350 crore in laying pipelines for 125 km from Hidkal to Dharwad,' he said. 'Considering the haste and the manner in which the water diversion project is being implemented, we are suspicious of the motives behind it. Initially, the work of laying the pipeline commenced without any approval. Even the district in charge Minister and district administration officers were unaware of the project. It only came to light after farmers started opposing the pipeline work. It was stopped for some time after the district administration intervened. But the State government has started the work again, under pressure from vested interests. We suspect invisible forces behind this,' he said. He threatened to intensify the protest if the work was not stopped immediately. He said that the water resources of Belagavi were being diverted for the welfare of twin cities of Hubballi and Dharwad. 'Already, they are taking water from the Malaprabha. Now, they want water from Ghataprabha also. This is unacceptable,' he said. Leaders like Balu Jadagi, Ganesh Rokade, Suresh Gavannavar, Satish Gudadavar, Prakash Lamani, and Manjunath Rathod were present.
