Disasters in Western Ghats should ring alarm bells: Medha Patkar

“Landslides, terrace collapses and other similar disasters in the Western Ghats should open our eyes to the dangers of environmental destruction. They should act as alarm bells about the urgent need to save and protect the environment,” activist Medha Patkar said on October 4 in Belagavi.

“We see most governments focusing on big projects. They keep neglecting smaller community-led projects like watershed development, lake rejuvenation and other decentralized alternatives. Successive governments in India seem to have a deep interest in designing and implementing big plans like the Mahadayi River Basin Project and big dam projects. But the US has decided to cancel more than 1,900 European dam projects. Several European dams have passed resolutions. mainly because, that this is destruction and large-scale relocation of families and settlements, unfortunately we do not think in such terms yet,” she said.

She questioned the continued emphasis on large dam projects despite concerns about their environmental and social consequences. She also questioned the acquisition of thousands of acres for the proposed Belagavi Ring Road, saying that people’s needs should not be sacrificed in the name of development.

She was speaking after releasing Sarvodayach Vatasara, a Marathi autobiography chronicling the life of social activist and Devraj Urs Shivaji awardee Dada Kaganikar.

The book written by Dr. Kaganikar in Marathi and translated into Kannada by Sharada Gopal, it was published in Gogte Rangmandir at the School of Culture. Among those who addressed the gathering was Vijay Diwan of Vinoba Bhave Pratishthan, Raigad.

Mrs. Patkarová remembered her connection with Dr. Kaganikar. She said his work in rural areas reflected the principles of Gram Swarajya, Sarvodaya and social justice. “His efforts to educate people, promote water conservation and develop lakes, in addition to implementing more than 30,000 biogas units and planting more than 2.5 million trees, are so remarkable that they inspire generations,” she said. She appreciated his fight against corruption and his efforts to ensure justice for disadvantaged communities and daily wage workers under MGNREGS.

Dr. Kaganikar, who started out as a public sector worker, said he never thought of writing about himself.

“I have spent my life working in villages and educating people through my work. I gathered friends and fellow activists through study circles. Most of the work on the book was done by Mr. Diwan, writer Nila Apte and others who spent months documenting my life, which eventually took the form of an autobiography. The book will be formally released by Sevagram Publications on October 18,” he said.

The program featured children dressed as prominent personalities such as Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, BR Ambedkar, Savitribai and Jyotirao Phule, Baba Amte, Salim Ali, Sundarlal Bahuguna, Salumarada Thimmakka, Mother Teresa, Greta Thunberg and Malala Yousafzai.

Mrs. Apte who introduced the guests said that Dr. Kaganikar received the Rajyotsava Award, the Devaraj Ursa Award and honorary doctorates from two universities.

Subhash Oulkar welcomed the guests which included Prakash Maragale, Vikram Patil, Malojirao Ashtekar and Indrajit More.

Published – 5 Oct 2026 13:11 IST