The Save North Karnataka Citizens Alliance has released a report warning that river diversion schemes in the Mahadayi basin could harm the Western Ghats and dry up rivers in north Karnataka. Over 30 organizations and 60 individuals, including environmentalists and social activists, contributed to the report. They specifically target the Bhandura Nala Diversion Project, saying it could worsen desertification in the region. Nitin Dhond, an environmentalist and alliance member, said the report is for policy makers, administrators, elected representatives, community heads, and residents of Belagavi, Bagalkot, Hubballi-Dharwad, and Gadag districts. The report examines ecological, economic, socio-cultural, legal, scientific, and technical aspects of the Bhandura Nala project. Its conclusion: the project is unsustainable in the long run. The Mahadayi River Diversion Project intends to supply more water to the Malaprabha river via inter-basin transfer, located in the Western Ghats forests of Khanapur taluk, Belagavi district. Agricultural communities downstream see it as a solution for irrigation, while the executing agency, Karnataka Neeravari Nigam Ltd, presents it as a drinking water project. However, the plan has been stalled for over 25 years. The latest Detailed Project Report splits the project into two smaller parts: the Kalasa-Haltara diversion (1.72 tmcft) and the Bhandura Nala Diversion (2.18 tmcft). Both affect headwater springs near the Bhimgad and Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuaries in the eco-sensitive Western Ghats zone, protected under WGEEP and HLWG reports. The report also suggests cost-effective alternatives to protect river systems vital for agriculture in Malaprabha basin and north Karnataka. Villagers near the project sites fear land acquisition, following a government Gazette Notification. Residents of Hubballi, Dharwad, Belagavi, and Khanapur areas contributed to the report. The alliance has shared the report with senior government officials and legal teams involved in court cases on the projects. The report draws heavily on research from IISc, ATREE, KSNDMA, NIH, ISRO, IMD, and other institutions.