Opposition to Sharavathi project will continue: Anant Hegde Ashisara

Bhatkal: Environmentalist and former chairman of the Western Ghats Task Force Anant Hegde Ashisara has opposed the Sharavathi pumped storage project, alleging that it is being taken up in violation of forest and wildlife laws at a time when issues like landslides are increasing in Uttara Kannada district. He warned that the protest will continue until the project is withdrawn.

He was speaking to reporters in Bhatkal on Monday while travelling from Sirsi to participate in a protest to save the Kumaradhara river in Subrahmanya.

Ashisara said that the movement to protect the Western Ghats has been going on for several years, with public protests held against several harmful projects. Some of these efforts have also seen success. He said that the ongoing agitation against the Sharavathi pumped storage project is part of this continued struggle, describing it as a large hydropower project that could impact the Sharavathi wildlife sanctuary.

He stated that the district is an ecologically sensitive area and the project could lead to landslides, deforestation and violation of wildlife laws. He urged MLAs, MPs and other elected representatives from the Western Ghats region to come together and oppose the project.

He also said there is a need to hold a major meeting in Bengaluru to raise a united voice on the issue. He made it clear that the agitation will continue until the project is completely stopped.

The protest is being carried out in different phases, and he referred to a people’s movement led by Swarnavalli Swamiji, inspired by Gandhian methods.

Ashisara further said that farmers, fishermen and plantation workers in the district are already facing difficulties, and stressed the need to promote organic farming, beekeeping and rehabilitation for displaced people.

He added that the people of the district will not accept attempts to implement such projects while ignoring these pressing needs.