A major protest rally is scheduled to be held in Belagavi on June 3, as part of the ongoing ‘Our Water, Our Right’ campaign launched by environmentalists, farmers, and leaders from various social and civil society organisations. The rally, which will begin at Sardar’s High School Ground and culminate at the office of the Deputy Commissioner, aims to oppose the Karnataka government’s proposed irrigation projects in the ecologically sensitive Mahadayi River Basin.
At a preparatory meeting held at Maratha Mandir in Belagavi on May 27, the participants unanimously decided to intensify their movement to protect the fragile Western Ghats, which they argue will be gravely affected by these projects.
Environmental expert Dilip Kamath has warned of severe ecological consequences if the Mahadayi basin projects proceed. “These projects will result in large-scale deforestation and submergence of vital forest lands in the Khanapur region. This will not only endanger the Mahadayi and Malaprabha rivers but could also lead to desertification in parts of North Karnataka,” he cautioned. Kamath cited findings from the Gadgil and Kasturirangan reports, emphasizing that both documents had clearly warned against industrial and deforestation activities in the Western Ghats.
“These reports were not drafted casually—they provide detailed documentation of the flora and fauna of the region and advocate for sustained efforts to preserve the biodiversity. Projects like the Kalasa-Banduri Nala scheme threaten this delicate balance and must be scrapped,” he asserted.
Environmental conservationist Captain Nitin Dhond pointed to scientific studies from the Indian Institute of Science and the Norway Institute for Water Research, both of which raise red flags over the ecological impact of the proposed projects. “These studies clearly show that the Mahadayi basin projects will affect the Malaprabha river, the Mahadayi river itself, the Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary, and the entire Western Ghats range. We cannot allow this irreversible damage,” he said.
Social activist Sujit Mulgund highlighted the increasing diversion of water resources from Belagavi to other districts. “Belagavi’s water is already being sent to Hubballi-Dharwad under the guise of drinking water supply. Now, Ghataprabha water is being planned for diversion to industrial areas in Dharwad. This is being done without any scientific planning or consideration of the local needs,” he said.
Mulgund further pointed out that while farmers in Bagalkot and Ramdurg taluks use Malaprabha water to grow two crops, those in Navalgund, Nargund, and Dharwad manage more than that—often cultivating water-intensive, non-native crops. “This unsustainable usage is bound to deplete resources meant for Belagavi,” he said.
Former minister and farmer leader Shashikant Nayak condemned the government’s decision to allow industries in Dharwad to tap into the Hidkal dam without consulting farmers in Belagavi. “This is a betrayal of Belagavi’s farming community. We are already witnessing shortages, and such decisions will only worsen the drinking water crisis in our region,” Nayak warned. He reiterated that farmers would strongly resist the Mahadayi water diversion project, citing its irreversible environmental damage.
Veteran environmentalists like Sagar Dhara, S.R. Hiremath, Suresh Heblikar, and Shivaji Kagnikar are expected to take part in the June 3 rally. Several other prominent figures and community leaders have also thrown their weight behind the movement, including advocate Nitin Bolbandi, farmer leader Chunappa Poojeri, Sidagouda Modagi, Mallesh Chougale, Nyla Coelo, Geeta Sahu, Neeta Potdar, Sunita Patil, and Colonel Ravindra Saini. Representatives from ISKCON, Dalit organisations, and numerous other farmer and ecological rights groups will also participate.
The protest is expected to draw a large number of supporters who believe that any developmental plans must be balanced with ecological sustainability, and that local communities must be taken into confidence when making decisions that affect their natural resources.