Amid opposition, pumped storage project in Sharavathi sanctuary gets SWBL nod

Bengaluru: The controversial proposal to build a pumped storage project (PSP) in the Sharavathi Lion Tailed Macaque (LTM) Sanctuary will move a step closer to reality with the State Board of Wildlife (SBWL) giving the project "conditional approval" amid opposition on the ground.

The Karnataka Power Corporation Limited (KPCL) has proposed to build the 2000 MW project in the sanctuary at the heart of the Western Ghats. The corporation has sought 352.77 acres, including 133.81-acre forest land, for building a powerhouse with tunnels of about 7 km connecting Talakalale and Gerusoppa reservoirs.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who presided over the 19th meeting of the SBWL on Tuesday, was briefed about the project, including the mitigation measures suggested by the principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife) apart from the measures given in the terms of reference for the project.

Forest, Ecology and Environment Minister Eshar B Khandre told DH that the Board cleared the project with some conditions.

"We gave them conditional approval. The KPCL has been directed to reduce the number of trees to be felled considering the negative impact it will have on the LTMs. We suggested they explore the option of tunnel roads instead of surface roads, which claim the most number of trees," he said.

Interestingly, the KPCL managed to get the approval despite not submitting a detailed project report (DPR) which will spell out the specifics of the works.

Those who attended the meeting, however, were given some details of the project, like the site inspection reports warning that the project may cause the decline of the LTM population and require felling of more than 15,000 trees, including "rare, endangered and threatened species of trees were some of the negative impacts he listed.

The members also discussed the questions raised by the principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife) Subhash K Malkhede, who gave clearance on the condition that the questions have to be answered.

Khandre said the Board directed KPCL to submit the DPR. "A major question raised by the officials was the lack of details on the infrastructure for evacuation of the power generated by the PSP. KPCL authorities explained that they will upgrade the existing power lines, used to evacuate the 1000 MW generated by the hydroelectric project," he said.

On the impact of the project, the minister said that considering the conventional hydro projects that have led to the submergence of thousands of hectares of forest in the Western Ghats, the PSP seems to be a better idea.

"The plan is to use the excess solar power in the daytime to pump water to the upper reservoir and then use the water to generate 2000 MW power during the peak hours. Even then, we have told the KPCL to strictly adhere to the mitigation measures," he said.

The minister clarified that the KPCL has to submit the DPR to the department, details of the works for power evacuation and the proposal to further reduce tree cutting. "They need to fulfil the conditions before going to the National Board of Wildlife," he said.