Parisarakkagi Navu, a forum for the environment, and Rashtrabhaktara Balaga jointly launched a day-and-night protest opposing the Sharavathi Pumped Storage project in Shivamogga on Tuesday.

K.S. Eshwarappa, former Minister, A.T. Ramaswamy, Mahima Patel, former legislators, Maruthi Guruji of Bangarammakki Kshetra, and environmentalists B.M. Kumaraswamy and others joined the dharna near Nehru Stadium.

Mr. Eshwarappa, addressing the protesters, said that the project would damage the Western Ghats and affect the rare animals. Even after repeated appeals and protests, the State government had refused to respect the sentiments of environmentalists.

“We will not let the government implement this controversial project. The Centre should not give consent to the government. Many people, genuinely concerned about the environment, have joined hands to oppose the project,” he stated.

Maruthi Guruji of Bangaramakki Kshetra said that the protest had been organised in the interest of future generations. “We are opposing the project as it will cause irreparable damage to the sensitive forest area. Already, several dams have been constructed in the Sharavathi Valley. The government should not go for more construction in the valley,” he said.

He appealed to the public to join the protest against the project in large numbers and put pressure on the government to withdraw the project. Mahima Patel, former MLA, opined that conserving nature for future generations was the responsibility of every citizen.