Bengaluru, 4 Nov

A fact-finding report released in Bengaluru by activist Medha Patkar has warned that the Honnavar private port project at Kasarkod poses grave ecological, livelihood, and human rights threats. Developed by Honnavar Ports Private Ltd (HPPL), a subsidiary of GVPR Engineers Ltd, the 44-hectare project spans five fishing villages and includes a 4-km road connecting to NH66, cutting through ecologically sensitive coastal terrain.

The report, prepared by AICCTU, Fridays for Future–Karnataka and PUCL-K, also alleges serious human rights violations linked to the project.

The project spans 44 hectares across five fishing villages and includes a 4km road to NH66. According to the report, both developments have proceeded without informed consent or adherence to environmental safeguards. It documents violent police action on 24 February when thousands of fisherfolk staged a peaceful sit-in. Over 100 protesters were detained, several women collapsed from heat and trauma, and around 50 demonstrators entered the sea in desperation. The next day, prohibitory orders under Section 163 BNSS were imposed as police escorted survey teams; 24 protest leaders were jailed for 24 days. The community struck work for a week demanding their release.

The report warns that port breakwaters will disrupt sediment flow and accelerate coastal erosion, threatening villages like Tonka and Kasarkod. The Sharavathi estuary, home to endangered Olive Ridley turtles and key fish species, is also at risk. Activists allege flawed environmental assessments and note that HPPL was exempted from a public hearing.

Over 6,000 families rely on fishing here. Dry fish workers, mainly women, lost access to accrued coastal land handed to HPPL in 2019. Only 18 of 113 road-affected properties have title deeds, leaving many facing displacement for a second time.

The report calls for withdrawal of cases against protesters, accountability for police excesses, and revocation of the project’s clearances.