People of Shivamogga protested against the Sharavathi Pumped Storage Project, aimed at producing 2,000 MW of power. The marchers gathered under the environmental group Parisarakkagi Navu and Rashtrabhaktara Balaga. They moved from Sheenappa Shetti Circle to the Deputy Commissioner’s office. Former MLA A.T. Ramaswamy, former minister K.S. Eshwarappa, Maruthi Guruji, and environmentalist B.M. Kumaraswamy joined the protest. Eshwarappa told the crowd, "The Central Government should not allow the project at any cost, as it would damage the ecologically sensitive area of the Western Ghats. The scheme has been designed solely to loot money. We will ensure that the project is stalled with the help of the public." Kumaraswamy said the site is part of the Western Ghats and home to rare animals. "The project would involve blasting and cutting down hundreds of trees. Such activities would disturb the wildlife. There is no need for the power project at the cost of forests when there are alternatives to meet energy demands," he added. The protest highlights the local resistance against the project due to fears of ecological harm to the Western Ghats, a crucial biodiversity hotspot.