River Malaprabha is dependent on the integrity of the catchment forests of Khanapur. It is crucial to safeguard forests from the axe! Citizens of North Karnataka districts are duty-bound to do so!
At a recently held two-day meeting on the 8th and 9th of September at the Karnataka Vidyavardhaka Sangha, Dharwad, the life-sustaining role of the Sahyadri Range of mountains was the primary focus of discussion. Forests, Biodiversity, Water systems and the criticality of maintaining their integrity for humans and all sentient beings took centre stage.
Presenting a case study of the River Malaprabha to participants from across the state, Captain Nitin Dhond of Parisarakkaagi Naavu, Belagavi District Chapter, explained the Climate Science behind the critical role played by the contiguous forests of Khanapur taluka in brining rain to the region, water to the Malaprabha, sustaining life and livelihoods of people of North Karnataka and in deterring progressive desertification of North Karnataka.
The Khanapur forests, home to the origin of two major river systems, are facing the threat of destruction due to proposed infra projects, deforestation, changes in land use, and unscientific agricultural practices. Any tampering leading to their fragmentation and loss would affect the water security of the region, compromising the climatic and rainfall cycles of the entire North Karnataka region opined Captain Dhond.
- 85% of the water in the Renukasagar dam is due to rains in Khanapur Taluka
- The Western Ghat forests to the West of Khanapur contribute to 40% of rainfall in Khanapur
- Diverting Mahadayi waters away from Bhimgad and Madei Wildlife Sanctuaries will adversely affect 500 sq kms of forests
- Damage to the wildlife sanctuaries will result in a drastic reduction in rainfall in Khanapur creating an acute shortage of water in Renukasagar
- Tampering with these forests will cause desertification of North Karnataka
Adv Gouroji highlighted the efforts of Dr Poornima Gouroji of Ramdurg who since the year 2003 has engaged in a legal battle to remove river bank encroachments; advocating river protection and rejuvenation; and, for the right of River Malaprabha to flow as an unpolluted, un-encroached, healthy river rendering its ecological services to habitations residing on its banks. Despite High Court orders and direction from the Lokayukta the River continues to suffer due to high levels of pollution from solid waste dumped into the river, leeching of chemicals from farm input residues, unregulated over-extraction of water, discharge of untreated liquid effluents etc. Participants from Ramdurg, Khanapur and Belagavi testified to the unfortunate state of affairs on ground.
Nirmala Gowda of Paani Earth Foundation, Bengaluru working to bring scientific rigor into the decision-making process vis-Ã -vis river water harnessing and its judicious use has been building awareness on water pollution in the Kaveri basin. Her research has found that the irrigation and water departments of the state are extremely wanting with regards to maintaining transparency in data sharing on Government websites. Citizens have a right to information on such critical matters, she opined.
The ecological integrity of the Western Ghats is being compromised due to unscientific anthropocentric developmental activities. This has resulted in continued natural disasters every monsoon as witnessed in the past few years in Kerala, Karnataka, and Maharashtra. Wayanad being the most recent tragedy! These and matters of Bio-diversity, water security, ecological integrity, including the 6th Draft Notification for awarding ESA status to the Western Ghats were discussed during the two days
Amongst the august gathering were religious heads (Nandiveri Shivakumar Swamiji of Kappadagudda), scientists, academicians, writers, thinkers, environmentalists, students, and social workers from all over Karnataka. Belagavi district was represented by members of Paryavarni, Parivartan, Jagruthi Mahileyara Vakkuta, Lt Gen Sardeshpande Memorial Sahyadri Conservation Interpretation Centre, GRAKOOS, and members of Parisarakkaagi Naavu Belagavi District Chapter.
The gathering came together to commemorate the occasion of 50 years of Chipko and 40 years of Appiko movements. Save the Western Ghats Abhiyan was co-organisers along with Parisarakkaagi Naavu, Dharwad Chapter and Vidyavardhaka Sangha, Dharwad.