Environmental Activist Calls for Immediate Halt to River Valley Projects in Western Ghats
Anant Hegde Ashisara, president of the Bedti Aghanashini Kolla Samrakshana Samiti, has issued a strong appeal to both the state and central governments. He demands the formulation of a comprehensive plan dedicated to the conservation and sustainable development of river valleys in the ecologically sensitive Western Ghats region.
Urgent Appeal Against Pump Storage Project
Speaking to reporters in Hubballi on Friday, Ashisara specifically called on the environment and forest ministries to deny approval for the Sharavati Pump Storage Project proposed in the Sharavati valley. He emphasized that the recommendations made by the Central Wildlife Board's expert committee, following its detailed site inspection of the project, must be fully implemented without delay.
Warnings Over River Diversion Projects
Ashisara issued a stark warning regarding the proposed Bedti-Aghanashini river diversion projects, stating they would have severe and irreversible consequences for the Western Ghats. He demanded an immediate halt to the preparation of the detailed project report (DPR) for the Bedti-Varada project, citing significant environmental risks.
Highlighting the potential impact, he claimed that implementing such diversion projects could lead to:
- Destruction of nearly one lakh acres of precious forest land.
- Triggering of large-scale landslides across the region.
- Displacement of approximately one lakh farmers and fishermen from their livelihoods.
He further cautioned that these projects risk drying up numerous streams throughout the Sahyadri region, insisting that the Bedti-Aghanashini project be abandoned entirely to prevent ecological disaster.
Scientific Studies Support Conservation Efforts
Ashisara pointed to several scientific studies that bolster the call for conservation. These include the UK District Environmental Conservation Study, the Western Ghats Landslide Study, and the Sharavati Comprehensive Valley Study. All these reports have concluded that large-scale infrastructure projects should not be undertaken in the fragile Sahyadri valleys due to their high ecological sensitivity.
Widespread Public Protests and Political Action
Reflecting growing public concern, protests are currently underway in multiple locations including Sirsi, Honnavar, Siddapur, Sagar, Shivamogga, and Yellapur. These demonstrations focus on the future of the Bedti-Aghanashini-Sharavati river basin and the potential threats posed by development projects.
Ashisara also urged elected representatives from the Western Ghats region, such as MLAs and MPs, to convene a meeting and collectively pressure the government on this critical issue. In a significant move, a major conference aimed at safeguarding the Western Ghats is planned in Hubballi this May, under the leadership of Swarnavalli Swamiji.
Key Figures Join the Cause
The press conference saw the presence of several notable individuals supporting the conservation efforts. Among them were Basavaraj Patil, president of Rashtriya Swabhiman Andolan; BM Kumar Swamy, president of Paryavaran; and wildlife law expert Giridhar Kulkarni. Their involvement underscores the broad-based concern and collaborative approach needed to address environmental challenges in the region.
