A stretch of the Bedthi (Gangavali) river near Yellapur in Uttara Kannada district
Opposition to the Bedthi project dates back to the late 1970s, when Karnataka Power Corporation (KPCL) proposed a dam near Magod in Yellapur to generate 420 MW of hydropower. The issue resurfaced in 1992, when seers and environmentalists mobilised against proposals involving the Bedthi and Aghanashini rivers. In 2002, the proposal resurfaced as a run-of-the-river scheme but again faced strong opposition. Revived in 2019 as a drinking water project for drought-prone parts of central Karnataka, it has now reached the tender stage for preparation of the detailed project report (DPR). 2018: Environmental Impact Assessment Terms of Reference process advanced, according to National Water Development records. 2019: Project included in Karnataka’s Budget; DPR preparation and alternative options proposed. 2025–26: Draft EIA preparation initiated. 2026: Mass agitation revived with a major Sirsi gathering led by Swarnavalli Swami. 2026: Preparations reported for topographical and drone surveys.
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Bommai said the report should establish the extent of forest land likely to be affected and the volume of water that can be diverted before conclusions are drawn on the project’s environmental impact. Bengaluru: Thousands of people from Uttara Kannada are expected to protest in Bengaluru Saturday, demanding scrapping of the proposed Bedthi-Varada river diversion project, which has reached the detailed project report (DPR) stage. The proposed diversion of Bedthi river water to drought-prone plains of central Karnataka has triggered widespread opposition, with residents, environmentalists, farmers and religious leaders warning of damage to forests, biodiversity, water resources and livelihoods. The agitation is being led by the Bedthi–Aghanashini Basin Protection Committee, backed by prominent pontiffs from Sonda Swarnavalli Mutt and Nelemavu Mutt. The movement gained momentum following reports that a private company was awarded a tender to survey the project area as part of the DPR process. BJP MP Basavaraj Bommai has urged CM DK Shivakumar to expedite the DPR and hold a meeting of elected representatives and activists to discuss the project. Environmentalists and local leaders warned of damage to forests, orchards, water resources and biodiversity. Protests led by local MLAs, ecologist Prof Madhav Gadgil, litterateur Dr Shivaram Karanth and activist Sunderlal Bahuguna eventually forced govt to abandon the project. A padayatra across the region galvanised public opposition, forcing govt to shelve the plans. Download the TOI App.
But opponents argue that the ecological and social consequences must be examined before the project advances.
Timeline on resistance 1975: Gangavali Stage I received techno-economic appraisal at Central Electricity Authority (CEA). 1979: Uttara Kannada District Anti-Hydroelectric Project Committee formed; protests began. 1980: Sirsi environmental seminar attended by experts, including Madhav Gadgil and Sunderlal Bahuguna. 1981: Listed as Bedti Project in a GoI census publication; economic and environmental viability reassessed. 1990: Aghanashini dam proposal emerged; River Basin Conservation Forum formed. 1992: Historic district-wide Bedthi padayatra led by Sonda Swarnavalli Swami. 1995–97: Resistance continued against mini-hydel projects. 2002: Bedti–Varada and Aghanashini–Vedavathi links proposed amid the national river-linking push. 2016: River-linking proposal revived to irrigate drought-prone regions.
Over the past year, protesters have organised public meetings, padayatras, scientific seminars, petition drives and campaigns targeting political leaders. Saturday’s demonstration in Bengaluru is expected to intensify the demand to abandon the project, with residents insisting that Uttara Kannada’s ecological security must not be compromised in the name of river diversion.