Meera Bhardwaj:
The 2000 MW Sharavati Pumped Storage Project (PSP) is in high gear. Despite many clearances yet to be obtained, the Karnataka government is in high-speed mode to implement this eco-disastrous project.
Even as the Centre has reissued draft notification on the Western Ghats Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA) for 6 states for the 6th time, the Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change (MoEF & CC) has quietly issued Terms of Reference (ToR for comprehensive EIA studies) for 15 Pumped Storage Projects (PSP) in Western Ghats.
The Sahyadri mountain ranges are one of the major watersheds of India and is recognized as one of the World’s eight “Hottest Biodiversity” hotspots.
15 PSP IN THE WESTERN GHATS
Adding to the list of 15 PSP in Western Ghats is the 2000 MW Sharavati PSP falling in Uttar Kannada and Shivamogga districts of Karnataka and the second PSP proposal is in Varahi River valley.
The Sharavati PSP was granted ToR by MoEF & CC on 14 December, 2023. This controversial project not only falls inside a “Protected Area” – Sharavathi Valley Lion Tailed Macaque (LTM) Sanctuary but also pristine tropical evergreen forests untouched by human activities. If this project is implemented, it will destroy about 360 acres of pristine forest of very high ecological value in a sanctuary that is sheltering a critically endangered species like LTM and other rare floral and faunal endemic species.
SITE VISITS MUST FOR ALL PSP
On 27th September, 2024, the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) of MoEF & CC in its 16th meeting on River Valley & Hydroelectric Projects has held that “Site Visit” for Pumped Storage Projects was necessary as the project sites were located in the ecologically very fragile Western Ghats.
Discussing the 1500 MW Warasgaon Warangi PSP in the Sahyadri ranges of Pune and Raigad districts (Maharashtra), the EAC noted, “This will involve diversion of 89 hectares of forests and further the upper and lower dam construction will cause obstruction of a minor stream draining into Ambi River which is a tributary of Mutha river. Secondly, a minor nullah draining into Kal River which is a major tributary of Savitri River respectively too will be obstructed. All these rivers are located in the Western Ghats and finally joins the Bhima River which is a major river in south and western India.”
HIGH ENVIRONMENTAL SENSITIVITY
The Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) further reviewed the Terms of Reference (ToR) recommended to the PSP which are proposed to be located in the Western Ghats. The Member Secretary informed the EAC that the MoEF & CC had granted Terms of Reference (ToR) to approximately 15 PSP in the Western Ghats.
Given the region’s high environmental sensitivity, the EAC, in its previous meetings, recommended site visits by sub-committee members to several PSP across Western Ghats.
HUGE FOREST AREA INVOLVED
These PSP are located in the ecologically fragile Western Ghats and huge forest area is also involved, the EAC emphasized that, prior to granting environmental clearance or making any recommendations, all PSP in Western Ghats that have been granted ToR by the Ministry, a site visit shall be carried in toto wherever possible.
In the background of these observations by the EAC, the issue of tenders by Karnataka government for the Sharavathi PSP, activists say, “It is gross violation without any clearances obtained till date. Further, the geo-technical investigation report has not been revealed. With the Standing Committee of the National Board of Wildlife allowing the studies, a panel was set up to look into the feasibility of the project. Now what is in the report, nobody knows.”
DPR APPROVED & TENDERS ISSUED
According to KPCL officials, the project will utilize the existing Talakalale as the Upper reservoir and Gersoppa as the Lower reservoir. With five years needed for the project implementation, officials roped in WAPCOS to draw up the DPR which submitted a draft last year. This August, the Central Electricity Authority has approved the DPR which is likely to spearhead the start of the project. However, the project is yet to receive forest and wildlife clearances.
The Siddaramaiah government issued the tenders in a very hurried manner for a project that has doubled in cost to Rs 8005 cr. So, in April this year, Megha Engineering and Infrastructure Ltd (MEIL) won the tender process for a controversial project that will be the country’s largest PSP generation unit. According to sources, the state govt has already released some money for the project.
BENIGN OPTIONS AVAILABLE
Shankar Sharma, Power & Climate Policy Analyst adds, “The overall cost of the ecological destruction by the proposed project are enormous as compared to the meagre benefits from the PSP. The project is entirely avoidable as there are other better and benign options to sustainably meet the growing demand for electricity in the state. It is frightening to note that the concerned officials in the state energy department may be continuing to propose such ecologically destructive projects, even in 2024 in the backdrop of calamitous threats of Climate Change, and without adequate diligence and consultations with the domain experts and environmental and civil society groups.”
A former KPCL senior engineers add, “The project can be of relevance to the state for only 4-8 hours per day and only during peak hours to meet the additional load. If honestly taken into account the overall power scenario in the state, it becomes evident that the project is not essential, and that it will cost much more to the state than the benefits it can provide.”
WORLD’S BIODIVERSITY HOTSPOTS
The Western Ghats, of which the Sharavathi Valley LTM Sanctuary is a critical part, is also assessed to be one of the eight hotspots for bio-diversity conservation in the world. Further, Sharavathi valley is one of the last compact tracts of climax evergreen forest remaining in the Western Ghats, and so, the project will lead to such a fragmentation that it will destroy the associated rich biodiversity forever.
The Sharavathi river valley is home to a diverse array of species and sustains a very rich biodiversity, some of which are still unknown to the outer world. Most importantly it is home to endangered and endemic LTM and vulnerable Great Indian Hornbill apart from many other endangered species.
LION TAILED MACAQUES IN PERIL
Wildlife biologists and experts and local activists in Malnad region say there is an urgent need for citizens to engage with the state government with respect to such ecologically destructive projects. The project site – Sharavati Valley is known as one of the largest protected areas of tropical evergreen forest in Karnataka.
It is also a vital wildlife corridor that connects the Gerusoppa – Kyadagi region to the north and Govardhanagiri – Jog State Forest to the south. It is a declared conservation priority area for the long-term survival of LTMs as it harbours the northernmost and a viable population of these endemic macaques in the whole of Western Ghats, research studies reveal.
CRUCIAL CATCHMENT AREA
The irreversible destruction of about 360 acres of pristine rain forest in the Sharavathi river valley, which is a crucial catchment area of river Sharavathi, could permanently harm the pattern of local rains and river flow.
Further, this can also substantially reduce the water availability to the multiple hydel projects in this river valley. Later, such reduced water flows in the river flow can endanger the very feasibility of the PSP.
VIOLATING WILDLIFE ACT
The entire area of proposed project site falls inside the Sharavati Valley LTM Sanctuary. Wildlife Protection Act clearly prohibits any kind of destruction of wildlife including its habitat inside a wildlife sanctuary unless the destruction is for the betterment of wildlife and its habitat.
It is shocking that none of the aims of the project can even be linked to the betterment of wildlife and its habitat. On the contrary, there will be various activities under the Sharavati PSP which will destroy many wildlife species and its habitat.