NBWL Grants Initial Approval to Sharavathi Project Amid Environmental Worries

Swift Summary

• The National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) has granted in-principle approval for the Sharavathi Pumped Storage Hydroelectric Project.
• The project is proposed by Karnataka Power Corporation Ltd. and involves construction within the ecologically sensitive western Ghats,including Sharavathi Valley Lion-tailed Macaque Sanctuary.
• Requires 42.51 hectares of forestland and 60.53 hectares of non-forestland from the sanctuary, plus land from nearby eco-sensitive zones totaling additional 39.71 hectares.
• Involves installation of underground turbines and pipes connecting Talakalale dam with Gerusoppa dam to generate 2,000 MW power capacity.
• NBWL recommended the project with 24 conditions including waste management protocols, wildlife signages, limiting construction hours, etc., but activists argue these are only procedural guidelines without addressing long-term ecological loss.
• Nearly 15,000 trees are expected to be felled; a suggested underground road could potentially save over 12,000 trees.
• Conservationists highlight contradictions between relocating families for wildlife protection while permitting destructive projects in the same area.
• Dr. R Sukumar emphasized insufficient data on ecological impacts and called for a detailed Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).
• Activists criticize claims that this does not fall under “hydroelectric” categorization; NBWL merely noted this inconsistency instead of addressing it robustly.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The decision by NBWL regarding the Sharavathi Pumped Storage Hydroelectric Project raises critical concerns about balancing infrastructural growth with environmental preservation in India’s biodiversity-rich areas like Western Ghats. While renewable energy projects contribute to sustainability goals at large scales (including minimizing dependency on fossil fuels), conservationists rightly underscore irreversible damage due to deforestation and habitat disruption affecting endangered species such as lion-tailed macaques.

Clear gaps such as incomplete data regarding ecological impact analysis foreshadows potential issues unless addressed rigorously during subsequent reviews under laws like Forest Conservation Act or thru robust EIAs demanded here logic insufficient details risks jeopardizing fragile ecosystems post contrary dialogues systematic careful tracking observed measurable changes pathways avoid trade-offs amidst power-energy argument evoked preview what submitted! Enduring electrification modernized requires proper accountability chair+ principles mandatory harness clarity notions further insights pending categories Await clarifications!

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