The promise of a realty boom could cost Karnataka a river

A proposed road of a mere 12 km, which is to run along the borders of Dakshina Kannada and Chikkamagaluru districts, has now triggered opposition from many quarters. Last month, historian Ramchandra Guha called the project ‘dubious’ in one of his columns, and it may be just that – a way to line the pockets of political leaders, both national and local. The path of the new road will also be through a region that receives the highest rainfall in the district, between 7,500 mm to 9,000 mm annually. The famous Ettinabhuja and VanmbattuGudda hill complex are located adjacent to the border here. The project area has the highest density of tree cover in the Ghats. There are more reasons to worry about the wide, new road. Besides sheltering important wildlife including tigers, great Indian gaur, sloth bears and leopards, the area is home to critically endangered lion-tailed macaques and king cobras. The area is part of an elephant corridor between Shiradi and Charmadighats. Ten years ago, villagers from Shishila and surrounding areas had protested against a mini-hydel company that was to be built across Kapila. The company was sent packing, even before the project was commissioned. But that urgency is missing now.