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NEWS BULLETIN HUMAN RIGHTS PROTECTION FOUNDATION, UDUPI. 7 No.
Bahujana Hitaaya Bahujana Sukhaya - Bulletin 7 Greetings from HRPF! Welcome to Bulletin 7. I am glad to inform you that the past few weeks have proved to be very productive as far as the endosulfan saga is concerned. From 1968 to 1998, endosulfan had been sprayed over several areas of Udupi, South and North Kanara Districts, the effect of which will persist over generations for the next 30 years. Dr Ravindranath Shanbhag spoke in a meeting in Karwar, presided over by Mr R V Deshpande, in charge District Minister of NK District about the utilization of funds sanctioned for treatment and rehabilitation of Endosulfan victims. S c i e n t i s t s FIGHT AGAINT from Southern C a l i f o r n i a zz ENDOSULFAN University and zz NIDDODI UMPP South Korean University, have zz ETTINAHOLE PROJECT identified two species of algae which detoxify the endosulfan to non-toxic endosulfan triol. They have developed methods which has been proved helpful in purifying ground water contaminated with endosulfan. Dr Bhami Keshav Shenoy, a scientist of Mangalore origin has assured to develop an alternative method to suit Indian conditions. Also the health officials have agreed to organise the ultra sound scanning programme for pregnant women of affected areas. [See 12 September Prajavani] The Health Minister U.T. Khader personally visited the Alankaar and Koila villages and inspected the 5 acres of land there will be rehabilitation centeres constructed for victims. He discussed how the budget allotted as the compensation for victims and their families will be granted, as well as health centers for nursing the victims will be constructed. [See 11 September Vijay Karnataka] The unnecessary disturbance created by the health department against the free scanning has scared the poor women from affected areas to opt for scanning. The benefits of technology are unfortunately not reaching them. There have been varied responses from several mothers regarding
the same. [See 25 July Udayavani] [Also See 23, 25, 26, 30 July and 5 August Udayavani] Niddodi Ultra Mega Power Project and Yettinahole Project: http://www.deccanherald.com/content/345442/coastaldistricts-consulted-paramashivaiah-report.html http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mangalore/ Bhandavya-opposes-proposed-UMPP-at-Niddodi/ articleshow/22308518.cms [3rd , 4th August Times of India, 7th August and 1st September Udayavani] Both the Yettinahole project and the Niddodi project proposed by the government are a recipe to ecological devastation. Implementing projects like these will transform Dakshina Kannada District into a crematorium. There is an urgent need for them to be scrapped to save the agriculture, the environment as well as the culture of the Karavali region. A seminar for discussing the “Niddodi Thermal Power plant�, was organised by International Federation of Karnataka Christian Associations on 31st August 2013, in Sahodaya Sabhangana, Balmatta. The invited speakers were, Dr Ravindranath Shanbhag, President, Human Rights Protection Foundation, Udupi and Sri Kiran Manjanabailu, Convener, Mathrubhoomi Samrakshana Samiti, Niddodi [See 1 September, The Hindu] The Anti Power Project Movement is gaining momentum all around the South Kenara District. A scientific analysis of the programme is in progress Please refer to the corresponding news items for more information.
Regards, Nivedita Editor, HRPF News Bulletin Human Rights Protection Foundation, Udupi. First Floor, Vaikunta Baliga College of Law, Kunjibettu Udupi- 576 102
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