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Friday, March 29 2024
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Hubballi

Gadag: Overnight dharna begins to save Kappattagudda

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Hubballi: The people’s movement to save Kappattagudda has begun with the seers, environmentalists and various activists starting overnight dharna in Gadag from Monday demanding the government to restore conservation reserve tag for the picturesque Kappattagudda forest region.

Dr Siddalinga Swamiji of Tontadarya Matt, who has been spearheading the campaign, charged that the state government had adopted delay tactics against reinstating the special forest reserve tag status to the forest by coming under pressure from the mining lobby. The dharna that will be held until Thursday morning is launched condemning the negligence of the government though 99 per cent of the local people and various organisations have supported the demand for special status to the forest.

“The people living in the surrounding areas of the forest have emotional attachment with Kappattagudda. But, the government has withdrawn the special tag to the forest to facilitate mining activities in the region that will cause ecological imbalance due to destruction of rich Ayurvedic plants and mineral resources in area. The government will face dire consequences if it failed to accord special status under pressure from the mining lobby”, Swamiji said.

The activists have also opposed the contention of Ramgad Minerals and Mining Ltd, a Baldota Group company, which has bagged mining rights in the forest, that there is no national park, sanctuary or unique flora and fauna in the region.

Samaja Parivarthana Samudaya president S R Hiremath claimed that the forest cover is the lifeline of the people living in the region and stripping it of the special status will pave the way for rampant mining, causing drought condition and depletion of water table.

Thousands of people staged a mammoth procession before sitting for dharna and fasting at Mahatma Gandhi circle in Gadag. They also raised slogans against Baldota company alleging that it was trying to mislead the government and people to undertake mining activities in the region.

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