Former minister K.S. Eshwarappa addressing presspersons in Shivamogga on June 1, 2026.
| Photo Credit: S.K. Dinesh
Former minister K.S. Eshwarappa has questioned the proposed visit by the Central Empowerment Committee (CEC) to the Sharavati Pumped Storage Project site in Shivamogga district for an inspection despite the High Court of Karnataka ordering the government to stop work.Speaking at a press conference in Shivamogga on June 1, Mr. Eshwarappa pointed out that the project had been opposed by hundreds of people, and that a senior Forest Department official, Praneetha Paul, in her site inspection report, recommended against implementing it. He noted that an expert committee appointed by the National Board for Wildlife, listed the extensive damage the project could cause to the pristine and ecologically sensitive ecosystem of the Western Ghats, further questioning the necessity of the CEC’s visit at this stage.The CEC is scheduled to visit the office of the Chief Conservator of Forests, Shivamogga, on June 2. Members of the Rashtra Bhakthara Balaga, and local environmentalists will meet the CEC delegation, and question the rationale behind the visit when the HC has stayed the project, said Mr. Eshwarappa.He stated that his forum would also oppose the Varahi Pumped Storage Project, which had recently been cleared by the State Wildlife Board, calling it another threat to the region’s fragile ecology. “We will ensure that both projects are not implemented. We will continue our efforts to safeguard the Western Ghats from any project that would harm its sensitive ecosystem,” he said. Published - June 01, 2026 04:06 pm IST
