Meera Bhardwaj:
The most controversial 2000 MW Sharavathi PSP project in Karnataka is embroiled in deceit & violations. Although this pumped storage project (PSP) was rejected by the DIGF after site inspection, it was recommended by the Regional Empowered Committee (REC), Bengaluru to MoEFCC, New Delhi.
The DIGF in her Site Inspection Report clearly says, “It is recommended that the project should not be approved.”
The ecological fallout far outweighs the economic benefits that may be accrued by commissioning the Sharavathi PSP project, she stresses in her report.
WHOPPING ECO-ECONOMIC COSTS
The 2000 MW Sharavathi PSP proposed by Karnataka Power Corporation Ltd (KPCL) at a whopping cost of Rs 10,240 crore entails diversion of 54.155 hectares of prime forest lands in the central Western Ghats. Further, it entails felling of 15,000 trees with high canopy densities that suits the LTM, an arboreal species.
This PSP project site falls not only within the Sharavathi Lion Tailed Macaque (LTM) Wildlife Sanctuary as also the Sanctuary’s notified Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) in Sagara, Shivamogga and Honnavara divisions.
This is one of the last remaining habitats for the critically endangered LTM, Malabar Pied Hornbill and the King Cobra.
TOTAL FOREST LAND FOR DIVERSION: 54.155 Ha
- 14.582 hectares (Jog Reserve Forest inside Sharavathi LTM Wildlife Sanctuary)
- 11.645 hectares (Statutory forests, Khan kharab & Soppina Betta falling within Sanctuary’s ESZ)
- 27.928 hectares (Reserve Forests falling within Sharavathi LTM Wildlife Sanctuary)
THE QUESTION BEHIND RECOMMENDATION
Now despite total rejection by the DIGF after the detailed site inspection done from 7 to 9, May 2025, how could this project be recommended to the Centre? This is a mockery of existing laws and regulations pertaining to Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 and Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
Agitated activists from Shivamogga and Sagar say various clearances have been given at the state level due to political pressure. This is despite rejections by the concerned investigating officer after studying and analyzing thoroughly the catastrophic effects of the 2000 MW pumped storage project in the heart of Western Ghats and that too inside a protected area which was expanded recently.
HIGH-COST BENEFIT RATIO
Akhilesh Chipli, conservationist from Sagar, Shivamogga says, “Forest Clearance and Wildlife Clearance are two separate independent process… Though DIGF in her site inspection report has not recommended the project, the DDGF has recommended the project ironically citing site inspection report of Chief Wildlife Warden, Karnataka given for Wildlife Clearance.”
“This is a big violation of Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980. This proves the desperation of the Karnataka Government to clear a project so fast that it neither heeds legal violations nor project cost. The cost benefit ratio is enormously high with pumping and project costs being conveniently left out,” Chipli adds.
SITE INSPECTION REPORT/ REASONS FOR REJECTION
On 19.5.2025, the investigating officer Praneetha Paul, DIGF in her report (after site inspection of the project site of Sharavathi PSP project) did not recommend the project.
She cited many reasons that could cause massive impact on:
- the unique forest habitat (Western Ghats),
- species (LTM, Malabar Pied Hornbill, King Cobra),
- floral diversity (12,000 species),
- complete destruction of wet evergreen forests,
- destruction of rare, endangered & endemic species, flagship mammals,
- Isolation & fragmentation of LTM populations,
- climax forests of canopy densities varying from 0.7 to 1.0 under Eco Class-1,
- proposed alternate Compensatory Afforestation are shola forests that cannot support LTM species,
- Highly complex Ecosystem of the Western Ghats cannot be restored
- Steep Slope cutting will cause instability in Geological formations of Western Ghats resulting in landslides
- Felling of 15,000 trees and blasting of sub-surface rocks coupled with high rainfall will cause landslides
- Drilling and blasting for construction of underground tunnels will impact ecology and humans
- Central Western Ghats – Watershed region for 37 rivers, no studies done on its negative effects
- Movement of vehicles, men & machinery will permanently alter the ecology of the area
- The transmission from Gerusoppa to Talaguppa falling within Sharavathi sanctuary violates the F(C),1980 Act as no records available with KPCL or forest deptt.
- The feasibility of project is questionable as 2500 MW is required to pump water upstream for generating 2000 MW
- As per CWLW’s report, earlier, more than 18000 hectares was leased to KPCL, the present forest diversion will cause enormous damage to the habitat and varied flora and fauna.
In this background, taking up such a mega-project to generate hydroelectricity through this method, will not only permanently obliterate floral and faunal diversity unique and endemic (species like the Lion Tailed Macaques) to central Western Ghats but also destroy permanently such Climax Forests comprising Tropical Wet Evergreen, Semi-Evergreen, Moist Deciduous forests and Shola Grasslands.