Sharavathi power project: Activists flag violation of compensatory afforestation rules

Civil society activists have flagged a major violation in the land identified for the compensatory afforestation (CA) in lieu of the diversion of forest land for the pumped storage project proposed by the Karnataka Power Corporation Limited (KPCL) in the Sharavathi Lion Tailed Macaque sanctuary.

As per the Forest Conservation Act, 1980, agencies seeking forest land for development activities have to provide equal extent of non-forest land to compensate for the loss of green cover. Accordingly, 133.80 acres (54.15 ha) in two villages of Chikkamagaluru taluk.

However, activists from Jana Sangrama Parishath have pointed to glaring errors in the identification of the non-forest land. They noted that deputy conservator of forests, Chikkamagaluru Division, in point number 3 of the CA suitability certificate, has described the identified land as a naturally grown “shola forest” adjacent to Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary.

Referring to the Supreme Court order in the Godavarman case defining the forest “according to the dictionary meaning” of the word regardless of the ownership and legal classification, they questioned the compensation accepted by the forest department. They questioned the provision of such land as
CA land.

Moreover, as per government notification dated January 29, 2011, the identified CA land parcel has been notified as part of Bhadra Tiger Reserve.” Interestingly, the DCF Chikkamagaluru, who has conducted the site inspection, has overlooked the fact that the said land parcel is part of a tiger reserve,” the letter by Akhilesh Chipli said.

Chipli said the DCF ignored the redflags and stuck to his stand, which has not changed even after the deputy inspector general of forests, regional office, Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, deemed the land unfit for rising CA.

Chipli sought immediate rectification of the error failing, he said, the activists will seek legal remedies. More than 770 activists have signed a petition written to the Deputy Director General of Forests, Regional Office, Bengaluru.