The Shishila–Bhairapura road proposal in Dakshina Kannada has drawn a strong environmental warning from writer and environmental economist Prabhakara Shishila, who said the proposed route could damage an ecologically sensitive part of the Western Ghats.
According to a report by Prajavani, some residents and interested groups from Shishila and Shibaje in Belthangady taluk recently met to press for construction of the road. The report said the proposed route would pass through a Western Ghats region described as environmentally sensitive.
Prabhakara Shishila said the project could threaten thousands of microorganisms and rare primate species. He also claimed that nearly 25,000 trees could be affected if the road is built. These figures and environmental risks were presented in his statement opposing the proposal.
He further warned that excavation for the road could increase the possibility of landslides in the Shishila Ghat area. His objection referred to the natural disaster that occurred in Kodagu eight years ago, as well as recurring landslides in the Sampaje and Charmadi regions, to argue that road construction in another vulnerable Western Ghats zone requires particular caution.
The report did not establish that the road has received final government approval, nor did it provide details of an approved alignment, project cost, construction schedule or environmental clearance. The immediate development reported is the demand by local groups for the road and the opposition raised by the environmental economist.
Prabhakara Shishila also cited the concerns associated with the reports of ecologist Madhav Gadgil and former space commission chairman K. Kasturirangan on development activity in the Western Ghats. He said the region, described as Karnataka’s ecological lifeline, could face serious damage if development works proceed without regard to its environmental sensitivity.
He urged the local legislator and Member of Parliament to withdraw the road proposal. Any further decision would require clarity from the concerned authorities on the proposal’s status, route, environmental assessment and safeguards before construction can proceed.
