Environmental Coalition Forms to Challenge Rs 62-Crore PRASAD Development on Chamundi Hill
A significant coalition of environmental and civic organizations has emerged in Mysuru, Karnataka, to intensify opposition against the proposed Rs 62-crore PRASAD project planned for Chamundi Hill. This movement represents a unified front against what activists describe as a potentially damaging development on one of the region's most sacred and ecologically sensitive sites.
Broad Alliance of Groups Mobilizes for Protest
The movement brings together diverse organizations including Parisarakkaagi Naavu, Mysuru Grahakara Parishat, Youth for Ecological Sustainability, PUCL, Belavala Foundation, Team Mysuru, and RLHP, among others. This broad alliance demonstrates widespread concern across different sectors of civil society about the project's implications.
Environmentalists argue that the PRASAD (Pilgrimage Rejuvenation And Spiritual Augmentation Drive) project, while aimed at enhancing pilgrimage infrastructure, could have severe negative consequences for Chamundi Hill's fragile ecosystem. The hill, which houses the revered Chamundeshwari Temple, is not only a spiritual center but also a biodiversity hotspot that requires careful preservation.
Concerns Over Ecological Impact and Cultural Heritage
Activists have raised multiple concerns about the proposed development:
- Habitat destruction for native flora and fauna on the hill
- Increased pollution from construction activities and subsequent tourism
- Water resource strain in an already water-scarce region
- Visual pollution that could detract from the hill's natural beauty
- Cultural insensitivity toward the site's spiritual significance
The Rs 62-crore project, part of the central government's PRASAD scheme to develop pilgrimage destinations, has become a focal point for environmental activism in Karnataka. Protesters argue that development should not come at the cost of ecological integrity, especially for sites of such cultural and natural importance.
Growing Momentum and Planned Actions
The coalition plans to escalate their protest through multiple channels:
- Public awareness campaigns to educate citizens about the project's potential impacts
- Legal challenges to ensure proper environmental assessments are conducted
- Direct engagement with government authorities to propose alternative approaches
- Peaceful demonstrations to maintain pressure on decision-makers
This movement reflects growing public sentiment in Mysuru that balances development with conservation. As the controversy unfolds, it highlights the ongoing tension between infrastructure projects and environmental protection in India's rapidly developing urban and pilgrimage centers.
The unified stance of these diverse organizations suggests that opposition to the Chamundi Hill PRASAD project will likely intensify in the coming months, potentially setting a precedent for how similar developments are approached in other ecologically sensitive pilgrimage sites across India.
