Protect Western Ghats

Sir, - The Western Ghats region, is once again in the news. The Mahadayi river rising in the Sahyadri range, flows west to become the Mandovi and is the principal water source of Goa. The Government of Karnataka is planning to divert the water from this river to the east to supplement the water storage in the Malaprabha reservoir.

This is part of the proposed Sahydadri Biosphere Area which is one of the last remnants of an evergreen ecosystem in south India. Irrespective of widespread opposition to this project from all sections of society, the Government is going ahead. The Kudremukh, central range of the Western Ghats in Karnataka, is also facing a threat. The Government had recently extended mining permission to the KIOCL for another three months.

With the Kerala Government's intention to reopen the Silent Valley Hydroelectric project, fresh fears have set in.

The Western Ghats are the watershed for many river systems and the chief source of innumerable natural resources. Its protection and sustainable utilisation are vital to ensure the livelihood of the peninsula. The Government needs to realise this and take up long-term conservation strategies.

Keshav H. Korse,

Ujire, Karnataka

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Sir, - It is indeed unfortunate that the Government has taken a decision to denotify the Kudremukh National Park and continue mining by the KIOCL. The country is destroying its own precious wealth of natural resources, when the rest of the world takes pride in retaining its resources.

It is time the Government realised the importance of retaining the few areas covered under national parks. These should be left undisturbed for future generations.

V.R. Nandita,

Bangalore

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