6 months ago
2
The projected Sharavati Pumped Storage Project, aimed to make 2,000 MW of powerfulness successful the valley, has met with a hurdle arsenic the Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) decided to defer the connection and question clarifications from the State government.
Karnataka Power Corporation Limited (KPCL), the task proponent, has sought wood clearance from the Union Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change. The task requires diversion of 54.155 hectares of wood onshore successful villages of Sagar and Honnavar divisions. The task came up earlier the FAC successful its gathering held connected October 27.
In minutes of the meeting, the committee noted: “After going done the facts of the connection and submissions made by the nodal serviceman of the Karnataka government, the committee deferred the connection and sought clarifications.”
The committee stated that the authorities shall research alternatives to the underground roadworthy and asked to record a broad reply.
The task that involves operation of pumped retention strategy of 2,000 MW utilising the existing Talakalale and Gerusoppa reservoirs. Both the reservoirs volition beryllium connected with a h2o conductor system. An underground powerhouse cavern with 8 units of 250 MW reversible pump turbine volition travel betwixt the reservoirs.
Objections raised
The FAC took enactment of the spot inspection study filed by Praneetha Paul, Deputy Inspector-General of Forest (DIGF), from the determination bureau of the MOEF and Climate Change. The study did not urge the task citing that the projected wood country falls wrong the Sharavati Valley Lion Tailed Macaque Wildlife Sanctuary, which is portion of the cardinal regions of the Western Ghats.
Further, the FAC considered the observations of the lasting committee of the National Board of Wildlife (SCNBW) made successful its 84th gathering held connected June 26, 2025. The committee had recommended the connection successful rule with definite conditions, including reducing the fig of trees enumerated for felling. It had directed a committee that includes 3 members and a nominee of the Ministry to sojourn the tract and taxable a report.
Wildlife mitigation plan
Now, the FAC has decided to see the findings of the committee formed to inspect the tract earlier taking its decision. It asked the State authorities to taxable the transcript of the study of the committee. However, the committee is yet to sojourn the site. Besides that, the FAC asked the authorities to taxable the Wildlife Mitigation Plan for the project.
An authoritative of the KPCL, responding to the observations of the FAC, said it would instrumentality it up erstwhile the sub-committee of the SCNBW submits its tract inspection report. The KPCL had been successful interaction with the committee and it mightiness sojourn the tract wrong a fewer days.
