World · India Bureau
Kerala residents protest large-scale water extraction from Tejaswini river
Environmental groups and local communities in Kasaragod district have intensified opposition to planned water extraction from the Tejaswini river, citing concerns over acute water shortages in the region.
LSN India ·
Activists and residents in Kasaragod district of Kerala are mounting growing resistance to large-scale water extraction projects targeting the Tejaswini river, warning that the initiative could severely exacerbate existing water scarcity problems in the area.
According to protest organisers, water extraction from the river is projected to exceed 30 million litres per day during the critical months of March and April, when the region already faces acute water supply challenges. Local communities fear that such high-volume extraction will further strain water availability for agricultural, domestic and industrial purposes across the district.
The Tejaswini river, which flows through Kasaragod in northern Kerala, serves as an important water source for the region. Environmental advocates argue that large-scale extraction during the dry season could harm both the river ecosystem and the livelihoods of downstream communities dependent on the waterway.
The protest reflects broader tensions in Kerala over water resource management and competing demands from industrial, agricultural and residential sectors. The issue has prompted calls for comprehensive review of extraction permits and stronger environmental safeguards before any further projects are approved in the region.