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The
Kali river is one of many rivers that flows in the richly forested
area of the Western Ghats. The river is 184 kms. long and flows
into the Arabian Sea. Like many rivers in India, the Kali River
is no exception -- it has been abused on the path of "development".
There are 6 major hydroelectric dams that have submerged over 32,000
acres of the rich forests of Uttara Kannada. A 7th dam has been
proposed now -- it will submerge another 210 hectares of forest
area and generate just 18 MW of power. In addition, there is the
Dandeli Paper Mills that pollutes the river by releasing its untreated
effluents directly into the river. Besides damming and pollution,
there is also illegal sand mining on the banks of the river which
disturbs the ecology of the river.
A
number of people of Uttara Kannada want to put an end to this and
want to protect the river for posterity. As a result, the Kali
Bachao Andolan (Movement to Save the Kali)
has been formed by Parisara Samrakshana Kendra
of Uttara Kannada and the Environment Support Group
along with several local community organizations and tribal villages
of Uttara Kannada. This group has been formed to highlight the threats
of damming, pollution, and illegal sand mining to the Kali River
and to protect it from these threats.
On
this site, we will provide information about the issue (documents,
images, press clippings), and document the efforts of Kali Bachao
Andolan to protect the Kali River. Your support in the campaign
will be invaluable.
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