Khanapur, April 9:
A strong coalition of farmers, environmentalists, religious leaders, and legal experts gathered in Khanapur on Wednesday to voice their opposition to the proposed Bandora Nala irrigation project, citing serious ecological, social, and legal concerns. The protest, held under the banner ‘Save Mahadayi, Save Malaprabha, Save Khanapur’, warned against the revival of the controversial project in the environmentally sensitive Mahadayi basin.
Voices from the Ground
Protesters carrying placards reading “Our Mahadayi, Our Water, Our Bhimagarh” submitted a memorandum of objection to the local Tahsildar. Many accused the government of reviving the shelved project under the guise of the Kalasa-Bandora Nala initiative, with no transparency or consultation with affected communities.
Social activist Dilip Kamath cautioned that diverting Mahadayi waters to the Malaprabha river could lead to large-scale environmental degradation. “If the forest cover around the hills is removed, rainfall will disappear, and both Mahadayi and Malaprabha will dry up,” he said, emphasizing that environmentalists should not be dismissed as anti-development, but as advocates for sustainable living.
Kamath also expressed concerns over the cultivation of sugarcane—a water-intensive crop—on acquired land. “First they take our forests, then our farms, and now they want to grow sugarcane in our place. We will not allow this betrayal,” he declared.
Legal and Procedural Loopholes
Advocate Sonappa Nandrankar, who practices in the Bombay High Court, highlighted procedural lapses in the land acquisition notices issued in February. “Many farmers received notices only in April, reducing the window for filing objections. Moreover, no social impact assessment was conducted, violating Section 4 of the Land Acquisition Act,” he said.
Multiple gram panchayats, including Karambol, have reportedly passed resolutions opposing the acquisition, according to local farmer Kallappa Ghadi, who received one of the notices.
Ecological Warnings
Environmental expert Captain Nitin Dhond strongly criticized the inter-basin water diversion, calling it unscientific. Citing studies by the Norwegian Institute for Water Research, IISc, and ATREE, Dhond noted that deforestation has already pushed parts of North Karnataka toward desertification.
“The Mahadayi basin, classified as ecologically fragile by the Madhav Gadgil and Kasturirangan reports, cannot handle dams or diversions. These projects threaten wildlife sanctuaries like Bhimgad and Mahadayi, and the future of the entire region,” he warned.
Allegations of Misrepresentation
Several speakers accused the government of misleading the public by branding the project as a drinking water initiative. Former minister Shashikant Nayak alleged that the real beneficiaries would be industries, not rural households. He also questioned the legality of proceeding with land acquisition before obtaining central permissions.
Senior advocate Arun Sirdesai echoed similar concerns, stating, “This is a project for urban industry, not for rural families. Why destroy Khanapur’s evergreen forests for short-term industrial gain?”
Calls for Sustainable Alternatives
Sustainable farming advocate Sharada Gopal criticized the promotion of water-guzzling crops over traditional practices. “We are ignoring rainwater harvesting and local knowledge, and blindly chasing large projects. There are more sustainable and community-friendly ways to solve water shortages,” she said.
Spiritual and Moral Appeal
The protest also saw participation from spiritual leaders. Nagendra Prabhu of ISKCON described environmental conservation as a moral responsibility.
Prominent social workers and activists such as Shivaji Dada Kaganikar, Balasaheb Desai, and Vinayak Mutagekar were also present at the gathering, underscoring the growing support for the movement.
A Legacy of Resistance
Kamath reminded the gathering of earlier citizen-led victories against large-scale projects like the 2,000-acre Kadoli industrial acquisition and the Zuari Agro Chemicals project. “Public unity has stopped mega-projects before. It can again,” he said.
As the deadline for objections nears, activists are urging affected citizens to challenge the acquisition notices and demand a thorough reassessment of the project, both legally and environmentally.