Coorg Wildlife Society (CWS) has opposed the Coorg Investors Meet (CIM) scheduled to be held in Madikeri on Tuesday. The society plans to meet Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar demanding that the meet be called off.
Addressing a press conference here on Saturday, CWS President Colonel (Retd) C P Mutthanna said, “Memoranda of understanding (MoU) to the tune of `1,000 crore to set up textile, tourism, education and food processing units in Kodagu are expected to be signed during the meet. This will result in the loss of thousands of acres of land in the name of development.”
He said farmers of Mandya and residents of Bangalore as well as peasants of some parts of Tamil Nadu are dependent on Cauvery water. “If these industries are set up, it will further degrade the landscape of Kodagu. Cauvery water will adversely be affected both in terms of pollution well as reduction in the inflow,” he expressed concern. Brigadier (retd) M A Devaiah was present at the press meet.