Environmental group to protest against DasaraKambala on Oct. 6

Mysuru: Strongly opposing the organisation of Kambala during Dasara despite stiff opposition from various quarters, ‘ParisarakkaagiNaavu,’ a city-based environmental group has said it will stage a demonstration at the Kambala venue on Oct. 6.

Announcing this at a press meet here yesterday, the environmental group President Parashuramegowda said that a protest has been organised at the Kambala venue at 10 am on Oct. 6. Dalit and farmer organisations, pro Kannada groups and environmental groups will take part in  the demonstration.

Alleging that there is politics behind organising Kambala, Parashuramegowda said the MLAs of Coastal districts had pressured the Dasara organisers for granting permission for Kambala, so that they can take the credit of promoting Kambala in other regions too and gain advantage in the next Assembly polls.

Environmentalist Bhanu Mohan alleged that hundreds of trees have been felled at the Kambala venue.

Also, a water body at the site has been filled with earth for facilitating Kambala.

Maintaining that the area was known for bio-diversity, she said it is unfortunate that this has been destroyed. The utilisation of the space meant for a park for Kambala, is surely an anti-environmental measure, she said adding that the Kambala will be strongly opposed.

Thinker M.G. Sadanandaiah who also addressed the press meet, strongly opposed the organisation of Kambala especially at a time when the State is reeling under severe drought.

Pointing out that 175 taluks of the State have been declared drought hit and over 200 taluks have reported a sharp decline in ground water level, he wondered whether the organisation of Kambala was right at a time when villages across the State were facing acute drinking water crisis, with cattle struggling to survive.

Activist Mandakalli Mahesh was present at the press meet.