Karnataka govt ignoring experts’ opinion on Sharavathi hydel project

Shivamogga: Overriding objections raised by a host of experts, including scientists, the Karnataka government appears determined to go ahead with the controversial Sharavathi Pumped Hydroelectric Project, which received in-principle approval from the National Board for Wildlife recently.

The proposed project site in the Western Ghats runs across Uttara Kannada and Shivamogga, but the government’s failure to hold a public consultative meeting in either district has been sharply criticised by both the people and activists.

Environmentalists pointed out that the government was obliged to hold a public consultative meeting before proceeding with the project, aimed at generating 2,000MW of power.  

One of the experts upset with the state government’s actions is environmental scientist Prof T V Ramachandra from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru. Ramachandra told DH, “The state government has ignored the report submitted by IISc on the Western Ghats. In fact, I told Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre to drop the Sharavathi project at a meeting in Bengaluru, warning him of potential mudslides and landslides in the region. But the government is in no mood to heed the opinions of experts. It seeks suggestions from experts on how to mitigate landslides in the Western Ghats only to ignore them. They have no concern for the wellbeing of the next generation, and only want to loot money. Implementation of any project in the Western Ghats could cause irreparable loss.”

Ramachandra does not hold out much hope from the public consultative meeting, should the government convene one.

“The government will override the people’s opinions. I have seen this happen in the past,” rued Ramachandra, adding that seeking legal recourse was the only way one could prevent further damage to the Western Ghats.

Environmentalist Akhilesh Chippali is aware of this reality and is already preparing for the legal battle. “I have made all necessary arrangements to approach the court if the project gets the Union Environment Ministry’s nod. The Forest Advisory Committee is slated to meet in New Delhi on Wednesday, and if it greenlights the project, a case will be filed in the court,” Chippali told DH.

The government has already issued notice to 46 farmers in Honnavara taluk, Uttara Kananda and eight in Sagar taluk, Shivamogga for acquisition of land for the project.