Families in calamity-hit Belthangady hope for permanent rehabilitation

MANGALURU: Last year it was Kerala and Madikeri and this year it is Charmadi and Shiradi. While greens have expressed concern over the destruction of the Western Ghats and climate change, many people have lost their agriculture land, their only source of income, due to landslips and floods. Victims have been forced to sell their cattle due to losing their means of livelihood. Though volunteers have rushed to help those in need, even in remote villages, the need of the hour is permanent rehabilitation, said environmentalist Dinesh Holla. He urged the government to compensate these families with agriculture land.
Sahyadri Sanchaya, along with various organisations and students, are visiting the calamity-hit region every Sunday. Dinesh Holla, convenor, Sahyadri Sanchaya said, “Some of the worst-hit areas in Belthangady are Parla, Makki, Daipithilu and Yeliyarakanda which border the Kudremukh National Park. These villages are at the foot of Durgadabetta at an angle of 80 degrees. In case the region receives heavy rain, landslips may occur again.”
The victims who stayed at flood relief centres set up at government schools are being compensated, but there are several other people who were shifted to private houses during the calamity. “We have discussed the issue with Belthangady MLA Harish Poonja and the forest department, and asked the MLA to ensure that they are not left out. The MLA visited the affected areas, recently. A lot of relief materials are being received, but not everything is reaching the remote areas due to lack of connectivity. Victims are in need of solar lamps, kitchen items like cooker, grinder and other necessities,” said Holla.
Several college students and volunteers of various organisations have participated in shramadan for nearly three weeks. Many villagers are forced to sell cattle. “We were in tears when Yelianna Gowda was forced to sell two buffaloes. His agriculture land has been destroyed. He was attached to these buffaloes and whenever we stayed with the family during a trek, we have seen him talking to the animals, which would respond to him. He wept hard as he handed over the buffaloes. We urge the government to compensate these families with agriculture land,” said Holla.
He said Malemane, Baloor, Madhugundi, Durgadahalli and Charmadi Ghat were also affected due to landslips and floods, and that most of the people were living in fear there. “The government must constitute an expert committee to understand the causes for landslips. The committee must make suggestions on how to prevent the same and protect the Western Ghats. Incidents of this nature are only increasing over the years. At one point, we realized that there was a house only after we found a broom, glass, plate and a cupboard,” he said.