Environmentalists under the banners of Parisarakkagi Navu and Rashtrabhaktara Balaga took part in a protest march at Shivamogga on Thursday opposing the Sharavathi Pumped Storage Project. They staged a dharna outside the Deputy Commissioner’s office. | Photo credit: SK Dinesh
Residents of Shivamogga staged a protest march in opposition to the Sharavathi Pumped Storage Project. The protesters gathered under the banners of Parisarakkagi Navu, an environmental forum, and Rashtrabhaktara Balaga of Shivamogga. They marched from Sheenappa Shetti Circle to Deputy Commissioner’s office.
Protesters raised slogans against the controversial project, which is expected to generate 2,000 MW of power. Former MLA AT Ramaswamy, former minister KS Eshwarappa, Maruthi Guruji of Bangaramakki Kshetra, environmentalist BM Kumaraswamy and others participated in the protest.
Addressing the protesters, Eshwarappa said the central government should not allow the project at any cost as it would damage the ecologically sensitive Western Ghats region. “The scheme was designed solely to grab money. We will ensure that the project is stopped with the help of the public,” he said.
Mr Kumaraswamy said the site where the project was proposed was part of the Western Ghats and home to rare animals. The project would involve blasting and felling hundreds of trees. Such activities would disturb wildlife. “There is no need for a power project at the cost of forests when there are alternatives to meet energy requirements,” he said.
Published – 12 Feb 2026 20:16 IST