Mysuru: Chamundesh-wari MLA G.T. Devegowda (GTD) has opined that the District Administration must take into confidence the stakeholders and the general public before taking up a series of development works atop the Chamundi Hill under Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD) scheme of the Centre that is worth over Rs. 49 crore.

 He urged the Deputy Commissioner of Mysuru to initiate public consultation and assess the environment impact so that the project takes into consideration the sentiments of the public who have opposed any sort of development and are organising meetings and protests to make their voice heard.

 The MLA urged the Deputy Commissioner not to take up development works without consulting geologists, environment experts and other stakeholders. He also conducted a meeting with the officials to express his concern.

 “It has come to my notice that a public opinion is being formed against any development of Chamundi Hill that has already been ravaged by unbridled construction. Many environment activists have apprehended that the project could mar the natural beauty and the religious sanctity associated with Chamundi Hill. I suggest that before implementing any works, specialists and subject experts should be consulted and only such programmes that are ecologically safe and beneficial should be taken up,” the MLA stated in a press release.

 “As the MLA representing the Chamundi Hill area which comes under my Constituency, I have held discussions with environmentalists and I am convinced that the apprehensions raised by them are genuine. The PRASHAD scheme has no visibility and no one seems to have any fair idea on what it entails. Moreover, the                                                                     Chamundi Hill is an environ-mentally sensitive area and has a rich biodiversity that is at the same time ecologically fragile. Any construction without ascertaining the carrying capacity of the Hill will be disastrous,” GTD added.

 Highlighting the protests and meetings of various organisations under the banner of Chamundi Betta Ulisi Samithi expressing their concern over the proposed construction of new devotee amenities, GTD said that he is answerable to the people of his Constituency and will not go against public sentiments.

 “As I am answerable to the devotees and pilgrims visiting the Chamundi Hill in my Constituency, I firmly believe that geologists and environmentalists must be consulted before taking up any new project atop an eco-sensitive place. It is my bounden duty to respect the sentiments of the devotees and the people of my Constituency,” he added.