This report by the Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore highlights and argues for the the case of saving the Gundia river, one of the most important tributaries of the river Kumaradhara in Hassan district in Karnataka, which is known for its very rich vegetation and biological wealth. This is in the context of the proposal put forward by the Karnataka Power Corporation Limited to implement the Hydroelectric project (GHEP) on the river.
The findings of a study conducted on the Gundia river reaffirms its status as the 'hottest hotspot'basin in central western ghats with the presence of nearly 36% of plant species, 87% of amphibians, and 41% of fishes, which are endemic to Western Ghats and four critically endangered and 14 endangered animal species in the region. 
The report strongly argues its case by highlighting the ecologically sensitive status of the basin as per the sub-section (1) with clause (v) of sub-section (2) of section 3 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 (29 of 1986), based on:
i) Species based criteria:
ii) The ecosystem-based criteria
iii) Presence of sacred groves and sacred water sources
iv) Geomorphological features – origin of Kumaradhara, Yettinaholé and Kempholé to which the streams Kadumaneholé and Hongadahallé join in the course and form the Gundia river
The report argues that, considering the ecological significance and rich biodiversity, this region should be declared as an Eco-sensitive region as per sub-section (1) with clause (v) of sub-section (2) of section 3 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 (29 of 1986) and clause (d) of sub-rule (3) of rule 5 of the Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986 in concurrence with the provisions of the Indian Forests Act, 1927 (16 of 1927) and Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 (69 of 1980) the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 (53 of 1972). This is imperative to prevent the erosion of Biodiversity, Ecology and associated Hydrology.
The report informs that the proposed project (GHEP) is ecologically unsound and economically unviable because of the following reasons:
- The construction of this project will cause large scale land cover changes in Gundia
- The proposed project would deteriorate the biodiversity of the region
- The proposed region is a part of an Elephant reserve and forms a vital link of two Elephant corridors
- The proposed project would cause habitat fragmentation and shrinkage resulting in enhanced Human - Animal conflicts
- The economic value of the region is clearly higher (> 200 Billion Rs.). The forests are ecologically and economically beneficial to humans
- This would alter the hydrological regime in the region
The report is divided into the following chapters/sections:
- Executive summary
- Gundia river basin - Introduction
- Section I: Land use dynamics
- Section 2: Eco sensitive region
- Section 3: Elephant reserve and part of elephant corridor
- Section 4: Human animal conflicts
- Section 5: Valuation of ecosystem services and goods
- Section 6: Ecosystem people's perspective
- Section 7: References
- Acknowledgement
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