Site inspection report disfavours Sharavathi project

The Forest Department has identified and numbered trees to be cut for the Sharavathi Pumped Storage Project in parts of Sagar and Honnavar taluks. | Photo Credit: file photo

A site inspection report of the controversial Sharavathi Pumped Storage Project has not recommended the proposal of the Karnataka Power Corporation Limited (KPCL) which seeks diversion of 54.155 hectares of forestland for the project.

A detailed site inspection, conducted by Praneetha Paul, Deputy Inspector-General of Forest (DIGF) from the Regional Office, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change of India (MoEF&CC), Bengaluru, has not recommended the proposal for the project citing 15 reasons including presence of Lion Tailed Macaque Wildlife Sanctuary.

However, S. Senthil Kumar, Deputy Director-General of Forests, (Central) Regional Office, MoEF&CC, has recommended the proposal, while suggesting that “revision in the design to minimise tree-felling and protect the ecological integrity of the area may be considered”.

Concern about damages

Ms. Paul, who was the inspecting officer, in her report, stated that the reason for not recommending the proposal include felling of more than 15,000 trees, many of which are endemic to the Western Ghats.

“Construction of new roads, widening of roads, construction of the surge shaft, adits, pot head yards, power evacuation etc would result in complete destruction of the wet evergreen forests of canopy density ranging from 0.7 to 1,” the report states as one of the reasons.

It further states that the felling of 15,000 trees would result in further fragmentation and creation of isolated populations of the Lion Tailed Macaque (LTM) and other endemic species which may eventually lead to its extinction. “Alternate CA land proposed, being a shola grassland, will not be able to compensate for the loss of habitat of the LTM,” it said.

It also said that as the ecological fallout far outweighs the economic benefits that may be accrued by commissioning this project, “it is recommended that the project should not be approved.” The inspection was conducted between May 1 and May 9, 2025.

Damage acknowledged

Meanwhile Mr. Kumar acknowledged that the area is home to significant endemic species, including LTM and the Malabar Pied Hornbill, both of which rely on tall, undisturbed canopy trees.

“There is no alternative alignment as the project depends on utilising reservoirs and gravity for hydroelectricity production,” he states in his recommendation.

It further says the proposed project lies within the Sharavathi Valley Lion Tailed Wildlife Sanctuary which harbours the largest known population (730 individuals) of LTM and a separate proposal has been submitted for wildlife clearance which is pending.

It added that the Chief Wildlife Warden had recommended modifications to design, including adopting underground structures and minimising surface openings to avoid felling approximately 518 trees in the Surge Tank area and by constructing an underground road from Nagar Basti Kere to Bagodi to preserve approximately 12,000 out of the 13,756 trees marked for removal.

“Building an overground road would disrupt the free movement of canopy dependent species such as the LTM. Revision in the design to minimise tree felling and protect the ecological integrity of the area may be considered. The proposal is recommended,” stated the DDGF .

Published - May 27, 2025 11:50 pm IST