Protest rally against Mahadayi basin projects in Belagavi on June 3
The rally will begin at Sardar's High School Ground and end at the Deputy Commissioner's office. Environmentalists like Sagar Dhara, S.R. Hiremath, Suresh Heblikar, and Shivaji Kagnikar are expected to participate. This was announced in a meeting in Belagavi on May 27.
Environmentalists, farmers and leaders of various organisations launched the 'Our Water Our Right' campaign, and vowed to fight against projects that had the potential to damage the fragile ecosystem of the Western Ghats.
Dilip Kamath, activist, spoke in detail about the possible negative impact of the Mahadayi basin projects on the Western Ghats in Belagavi. He said the extensive deforestation and submergence of forests in the Khanapur region could dry up the two rivers — Malaprabha and Mahadayi — and lead to the disastrous effect of desertification of northern Karnataka. Citing from the Gadgil Report and Kasturi Rangan Reports, he said that unchecked non-forest activities in the Western Ghats could threaten the existence of these forests that were considered ecological hot spots.
'The two reports had advised against deforestation and projects that could damage the forests. The reports were meticulously prepared and had documented the trees and wildlife in the region. They had called for concerted efforts to protect the biodiversity of the Western Ghats, including the Khanapur forests that are part of the region,' he said.
'The report highlighted the biodiversity of the Western Ghats and the immense benefits it brings to the country, providing a detailed report on the protection of the Western Ghats. However, the Kalasa Banduri Nala projects could damage the ecology of the Western Ghats. Therefore, everyone needs to join hands for the survival of the Western Ghats by abandoning the Kalasa Banduri project,' Mr. Kamat said.
Sujit Mulgund, a social activist, said that unscientific projects had diverted water away from Belagavi to other districts. Drinking water from the Malaprabha river is being supplied from Belagavi district to Hubballi-Dharwad cities, and new projects are being planned to divert Ghataprabha water from Hidkal dam to Dharwad industrial area.
'But then, farmers in Bagalkot and Ramdurg taluks are using water from the Malaprabha reservoir to grow two crops, while farmers in Navalgund, Nargund, and Dharwad are using this water for more than two crops. The amount of water used from the Malaprabha reservoir has now increased, with claims that the downstream population has increased. But the water is being misused for non-native water guzzling crops,' he said.
Shashikant Nayak, former minister and farmers' leader, said that the government of Karnataka had allowed industries in Dharwad to take water from Hidkal dam, without taking the farmers of Belagavi into confidence. 'This could lead to a shortage of drinking water in the Belagavi area,' he said. He said farmers would strongly oppose the Mahadayi river water diversion project and fight till it was abandoned, as it could harm the Western Ghats.
Captain Nitin Dhond, environmentalist, said studies by IISc scientists and researchers from the Norway Institute for Water Research had highlighted the serious negative impact of the Mahadayi river basin projects. He said it could affect the Malaprabha river, the Western Ghats, the Bhimgad wildlife sanctuary and the Mahadayi river.
Advocate Nitin Bolbandi, farmer leader Chunappa Poojeri, Sidagouda Modagi, Mallesh Chougale, Nyla Coelo, Geeta Sahu, Neeta Potdar, Sunita Patil, Colonel Ravindra Saini, ISKCON representatives, environmentalists, farmer leaders, and Dalit leaders were present.
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