Mangaluru: Alleging that the Yettinahole Integrated Drinking Water Project has caused ecological damage to the Nethravati River and the Western Ghats while resulting in a waste of public funds, the Western Ghats-Nethravati Conservation and Research Forum (WG-NCRF) on Saturday launched a mass signature campaign in the city.

The campaign seeks public support for an open letter addressed to elected representatives from Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Hassan, Chikkamagaluru, Kodagu, Shivamogga, Uttara Kannada, Belagavi, Chamarajanagar and Mysuru districts.

Addressing reporters, forum convener Adithya Shetty said the initiative aims to raise awareness about the environmental impact the forum attributes to the project, empower local communities and advocate for the protection of the Nethravati River and the Western Ghats.

“The Nethravati has been the lifeline of Tulu civilisation for more than 3,000 years. However, the implementation of the Yettinahole project reflects a failure to recognise the rights and concerns of people living along the coast, in the river’s catchment areas and in the foothills of the Western Ghats,” he said.

Shetty said the forum had already approached Dakshina Kannada MP Capt Brijesh Chowta regarding the issue and was awaiting his response.

The forum further alleged that substantial public funds had been spent over the past 14 years on works that several experts and environmental activists consider unscientific. It said the campaign would mobilise public support across Karnataka to press for immediate government intervention to prevent further degradation of the Western Ghats and its water resources.

The signature campaign will continue until Aug. 15, after which the open letter, along with the collected signatures, will be submitted to elected representatives from the 10 districts.