Movement against Sharavathi Pumped Storage Project

Bengaluru: Questioning the ‘hurry’ with which the state government was pursuing the Sharavathi Pumped Storage Project in the Lion Tailed Macaque Sanctuary, activists, concerned over the project’s impact on the fragile ecology of the Western Ghats, will launch a movement to raise awareness about the same among the people. 

The 2,000MW project proposed by the KPCL requires 378 acres (153 ha) of which about 126 acres (52.62 ha) is forest land spread over Honnavar, Shivamogga Wildlife and Sagar divisions. Within the forest land, 97 acres falls within the part of the LTM sanctuary.

Under the banner of ‘Vrushalaksha Andolana’, 12 activists and conservationists have, in an open letter, questioned the state forest and environment department’s stance on the project.

“The Forest Department has approved and recommended the project to the Union Environment ministry. The government has already awarded  the tender.

Farmers, fishermen and people living in the area have no information,” Anant Hegade Ashisar of the Andolana said.