The Western Ghats would be severely affected if the course of Bedthi river in Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka is diverted to connect it to river Varada, warned Srimadgangadharendra Saraswathi Swamiji of Sonda Swarnawalli Math. Any damage caused to Western Ghats would be irreparable as it would affect the ecological balance of the entire Southern India, he added. Speaking after inaugurating the diamond jubilee celebrations of Havyaka Mahasabha here, the Swamiji said the Western Ghats have been protecting the Southern States from natural calamities like major earthquakes besides providing shelter for a variety of flora and fauna.