Nod sought only to conduct survey on feasibility of Alleri pumped storage hydroelectric project in Vellore, says DFO

Permission to conduct only a preliminary survey to assess the feasibility of the proposed Alleri Pumped Storage Hydroelectric Project in Vellore was sought by Adani Hydro Energy Fourteen Limited, said T.K. Ashok Kumar, District Forest Officer (DFO), Vellore Division.

In an interaction with The Hindu, the DFO said that initially, the representatives of the private firm had orally sought the nod of the Forest Department to conduct a preliminary survey to assess the feasibility of the multi-crore project.

However, the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) had made it clear that the permission could be obtained only from the Centre by applying for it on the Parivesh portal. “They (representatives of the private firm) were directed to apply for it on the Parivesh portal to get environmental clearance from the Centre to conduct only the survey. The nod has not been sought for the project itself,” Mr. Ashok Kumar clarified.

The Forest Department’s statement comes in the wake of objections from environmentalists to the proposed 1,800 MW pumped storage hydroelectric project by the Adani Group at the foothills of Jawadhu Hills in the district.

The proposed project would come up in the Arasampattu Reserve Forest (RF) that falls under the Odugathur forest range in the district. Of the estimated 833 acres of land required, 564 acres would be forest land. The project involves the construction of an upper reservoir and a lower reservoir linked through a pumped storage system designed to generate 1,800 MW of electricity.

According to Poovulagin Nanbargal, an environmental organisation that opposes the project, the forests surrounding the project site support a rich variety of flora and fauna. The region is also home to the Malabar Grey Hornbill, Indian Pangolin, Slender Loris, Indian Giant Squirrel, leopard, dhole, sloth bear, gaur, sambar deer, barking deer, and wild boar.

Environmentalists also fear that the proposed project could affect availability of groundwater for domestic consumption and irrigation. The water required for the pumped storage facility would be drawn from the Palar near Virinjipuram, around 18 km from the project site.

Excessive pumping of water from the river for the project could deprive the local residents of water, especially during summer.