by Meera Bhardwaj
The Sharavathi River Valley which is the one and only contiguous habitat of critically endangered Lion Tailed Macaques (LTM) are found in large groups and numbers in the “Project Site” of the 2000 MW Sharavathi Underground Pumped Storage Project. In fact, sightings by forest officials and researchers clearly points to frequent sightings (with GPS locations) and presence of LTM groups in Henni, Kunigere, Hirehenni to Byagodu, Pandavara-Hakkahi and Kudregundi.
And KPCL cannot deny the fact that the project site falls right in the middle of all these LTM locations.
In the recent hearing, the Karnataka Power Corporation Ltd claimed in the Karnataka High Court that there are no LTMs in the Sharavathi project area. Presently, they are busy carrying out a feasibility study to ascertain whether this terrain is suitable for the 2000 MW hydroelectric project.
LTMs have been sighted in the following areas where the project site falls in the Jog State Forest Block-A and 4 which is now part of the Sharavathi Valley LTM Wildlife Sanctuary. In fact, geotechnical studies are going on in these locations now.
The sites where LTMs were sighted by forest officials have been marked with their GPS locations. Forest records reveal frequent LTM sightings when one moves between Hirehenni and Byagodu and this is the Byagodu and Hirehenni forest areas.
LTM SIGHTINGS : FIVE LOCATIONS :
(These are recordings by a range forest officer who has served in Kargal range for many years)
1. Hirehenni to Byagodi – Frequent sightings and they are part of the Jog state forest areas
2. Henni Circle – about 1.41 kilometres and this lies in Jog State Forest Block-A
3. Kunigere bus stop, about 1.33 kilometres from Henni village, near Payappa Gowda’s house
4. Pandavara Hakkahi : on the south west of Henni Circle
5. Kudregundi, which is about 1.08 kilometres from Arakki bus stop and on way to Henni
The situation for the survival of the lion tailed macaques is so critical that only 3000 are left in 3-4 sites across the rain forests of Western Ghats in southern India and out of this, Sharavathi is the only contiguous site.
The Sharavathi River Valley is a CLIMATIC CLIMAX FOREST which means it is the best evolved forestand has reached the final evolved stage like the Amazon forests and not disturbed by forest fires and humans.. Studies on the presence of LTMs have been recorded since 1985 when noted biologist Dr Ullas K Karanth recorded their presence on the southern side of the reservoir.
RESEARCH STUDIES
Further, studies by Prof Mewa Singh, world renowned primate specialist has revealed its large presence and he says there are 32 groups of LTMs and the project area falls right in this area where they live and breed on tree canopies.
Based on research studies and sightings by forest officials in the Sharavathi river valley, the Karnataka State Wildlife Board extended the area of this wildlife sanctuary in all its wisdom to protect the last remaining habitat of these arboreal mammals. And it is pathetic that the same government which protected and notified the expansion of this sanctuary is out to destroy it.