Madikeri: A rally seeking government action to protect the pristine forests of Kodagu and ensure food security by saving the Cauvery river got good response from the people of Kodagu on Saturday. The protest is against the proposed widening of NH 275 which connects Mysuru and Madikeri.The protest led by the Kodagu Maraka Yojane Virodhi Vedhike saw hundreds of participants who claimed the project would destroy the vulnerable ecosystem of Kodagu. The rally began at Mans Compound and ended at Gandhi Maidan which was decked up with posters for the protest. Many environmentalists from different pro-environment organisations attended the event which was inaugurated by Col Muthanna, president, Coorg Wildlife Society.Suresh Heblikar, environmentalist and Kannada filmmaker who was the chief guest, said, “The Eastern Himalayas and Western Ghats are in a fragile state. If they are not protected, we may be in for a bleak future. The Western Ghats are spread across six states and they provide 40% of the nation’s resources. How can we survive once we stop getting them if the Western Ghats are destroyed? Kodagu’s ecosystem needs to be preserved. We have to save the river Cauvery and people of Kodagu must actively participate in protecting the environment.”The president of Kodagu Maraka Yojane Virodhi Vedhike condemned people supporting highway project. “People supporting the project are involved with the sand mafia; they get paid commissions in road projects including the NH project. However, people have to take a strong stand in opposing such destructive projects.”United Kodava Organization convener Manju Chinappa stressed that people supporting the project are doing it for publicity. Cauvery Sena convener Ravi Chengappa said, “We have taken up this issue in court. People placing hurdles to our causes should be booked by police. We won’t stop our fight to protect the ecosystem.”Kodagu JD(S) chief secretary, Padmini Ponnappa said Kodagu does not require a four-lane highway. “Development is needed, but it is not required to this extent. Instead, roads need to be fixed,” she said.BJP, Save Kodagu forum take on eco-activistsAt the protest, there were slogans against environmentalists. Numerous BJP members and members of Save Kodagu forum were seated even before the environmentalists. When they were asked to leave by police who convinced them to organize a separate rally, BJP members shouted slogans against environmentalists and showed their support to the highway project. They were escorted out of Gandhi Maidan and the function began.Meanwhile, the Kodagu Hospitality Association along with the Kushalnagar Chamber of Commerce formed a human chain and protested against Kodagu Maraka Yojane Virodhi Vedhike at Kushalnagar. They too supported the highway project.

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