1. Who is impacted?

The Sharavathi Pumped Storage Power Project (2,000 MW) proposed in Honnavara threatens to destroy more than 16,000 trees and wipe out rare medicinal plants and endangered species like the lion-tailed macaque. This destruction will directly impact villagers who depend on forests and rivers for their livelihood, traditional medicine, and cultural heritage. The Sharavathi Wildlife Sanctuary and surrounding communities face the risk of ecological collapse, water insecurity, and displacement.

2. What is at stake?

If the project moves forward:

Forests will be permanently lost, along with biodiversity unique to the Western Ghats (a UNESCO World Heritage Site).

Medicinal plants and traditional knowledge systems will vanish forever.

Wildlife habitats will be fragmented, leading to extinction risks for rare species.

Local communities will lose their livelihood, forest produce, and their natural identity.

The region will face geological instability, landslides, and water scarcity.

Once destroyed, these forests and rivers cannot be restored. This is about our air, water, climate, and children’s future.

3. Why is now the time to act?

The government is fast-tracking this $1.2 billion mega project without a proper cumulative environmental impact assessment. If we remain silent now, irreversible damage will be done to Honnavara’s forests and the Sharavathi Valley.

We have cleaner and safer alternatives like solar and wind power that can meet Karnataka’s energy needs without destroying forests and communities.

Now is the time to raise our voices. Once the trees are gone, once the river is polluted, there is no turning back.

We, the people of Honnavara and concerned citizens, urge the Government of Karnataka and the Ministry of Environment & Forests to immediately stop the Sharavathi Pumped Storage Project and protect the Sharavathi River, its forests, wildlife, and communities.