Why is Karnataka Power Corporation Limited KPCL involved in promoting Jog Falls as a tourist destination? A five-star hotel, a viewing deck, amphitheatre, boating and loads of tourist facilities are proposed for the alluring makeover of Jog Falls. The goal is to encash the natural wonder to boost the GDP! To benefit the rich and powerful.
The ruse that it will create employment does not hold much water. Locals could be employed in the existing facilities, too. Cottage industries could be developed in towns to generate employment to alleviate the sufferings of the poor.
It is a Disastrous Project.. construction activity could trigger landslides. Slope stability is a major concern. It could alter the ecosystem. It doesn't matter to the Government of India and Karnataka that Jog Falls is located in a highly fragile ecosystem.
It doesn't matter to the protagonists of the Rs 185 crore (when the country's economy is in a shambles) project that the proposed area of construction activity falls within the eco-sensitive area. It doesn't matter that endangered species use the landscape. Jog Falls is a natural diamond by itself, magnifying its splendour during the south-west monsoon.
Generations have lived and enjoyed the existing facilities at Jog for decades. There is no need to meddle with the biodiversity of the Western Ghats, one of eight hotspots in the world. India has merely 21.67 per cent (712249 sq km) of its landscape under forests. It should ideally be 33 per cent. America has 36.21 (33,13, 622 sq km) while Canada has 38 per cent (3.47 million sq km) of the land mass under forests. It should be noted that India has decimated more than one lakh hectares of pristine forests over the last five years. Lakhs of trees are also set to be axed soon.
The KPCL and Jog Management Authority will be doing grave damage to the people of region by dancing to the tunes of their political masters. It would be a disaster if the Karnataka Forest Department, which is the guardian of our forests and wildlife, concedes to the demand of Member of Parliament B S Raghavendra..Forest Clearance cannot, and should not, been given under duress, against statutory regulations. Our MP and tourism minister C P Yogeshwar envisage to draw tourists to Jog Falls, akin to Niagara Falls. These gentleman ought to understand that the ecosystems are entirely different.
Our ruling politicians should be reminded that they have taken oath under the Constitution of India to save our forests, lakes, wildlife...They are not above law to do what they wish to do against the will of the people and to the detriment of public health. The money - Rs.185 crore - allocated for the beautification of Jog Falls could be used for developing schools, hospitals/ public health centres in taluks which have been neglected.
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From Joehoover60