The pontiff of Udupi Pejawar mutt, Sri Vishvesha Theertha, on Tuesday evening said that he would take a decision on his fast on Wednesday morning, after getting a copy of the denotification order.

COMMERCIAL BREAK
SCROLL TO CONTINUE READING

The swamiji’s fast against the acquisition of agricultural land for industry was set to begin on Wednesday.

The land to be acquired is spread across four villages—Thenka Yakkaru, Peramude, Kuthethoor and Delanthbettu, all in the vicinity of the Mangalore International Airport. “We have already lost over 9,000 acres to industrial units, including Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited, BASF India, Udupi  Power Corporation Limited and many other such units after Bangalore-Mangalore became the largest industrial zone in the state. We have already got our share of chemical and oil pollution. How much more should this district sacrifice?” the swamiji asked.

The swamiji explained that many of the fields that would make way to industry were yeilding two or more crops each year, and were well irrigated. They fell in areas fed by rivers and perennial rivulets. “These are the best areas for agriculture within the Western coast,” the swamiji said, adding that former Union commerce minister Kamal Nath had clearly said that no land which yields two or more crops should be notified for industry. Greens have grouse too.

SEZ units are exempt from environmental impact analysis.  Environmentalists have pointed out that the land falls in a highly eco-sensitive region, and the district administration ought to be granted special powers to check violation of pollution control norms by industrial units.