Sirsi, 16 June

Thousands of farmers, fishermen, environmentalists and residents from across Uttara Kannada district marched to the Assistant Commissioner's office in Sirsi on Monday, demanding the withdrawal of the proposed Bedti–Varadaand Aghanashini–Vedavathi river diversion projects.

Under the banner of the Bedti–Aghanashini Basin Conservation Committee, protesters submitted more than 10,000 petitions addressed to Chief Minister DK Shivakumar. They also voiced opposition to the proposed Sharavathi Pumped Storage Project and a nuclear power plant near Sigandur.

In their memorandum, the petitioners said the projects should be abandoned in the interests of farmers, fisherfolk, forest-dependent communities and residents of the district.

They argued that the Bedti (Gangavali) river system, including the Pattadakal and Shalmala rivers, flows through one of the most ecologically sensitive regions of the Western Ghats, a globally recognised biodiversity hotspot.

According to the petition, the river diversion projects could cause extensive damage to biodiversity, riverine forests and agricultural land. The signatories warned that reduced downstream water flow would adversely affect drinking water supplies and irrigation, while threatening aquatic ecosystems.

They also expressed concern that large-scale interventions in the fragile slopes of the Western Ghats, which are already prone to landslides, could increase the risk of further land degradation and slope failures.

Committee president Anant Hegde Ashisara alleged that the Detailed Project Report (DPR) contained exaggerated claims regarding water availability and project benefits.

Ashisara also claimed that the river diversions could displace 3 lakh people in the Western Ghats.

Addressing the gathering, Congress MLA Bhimanna Naik said, "The people of Uttara Kannada cannot rest until the State and Central governments formally announce the withdrawal of these projects," he said, adding that he would seek a meeting with. Shivakumar and, if necessary, approach Union ministers.