The central government has placed the Sharavathi Pumped Storage project on hold, citing potential "enormous damage" to the biodiversity of the Western Ghats. This decision follows mounting concerns from environmentalists, local communities, and even some officials within the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) regarding the project's potential ecological impact.
The Sharavathi Pumped Storage Hydroelectric Project, proposed by the Karnataka Power Corporation Limited (KPCL), is a ₹10,240 crore infrastructure initiative designed to generate 2,000 MW of clean energy. The project aims to store and release water between existing reservoirs (Talakalale and Gerusoppa) to balance grid loads and support Karnataka's renewable energy transition. If implemented, it would become India's largest pumped storage facility.
However, the project's location within the Western Ghats, a UNESCO World Heritage site and a global biodiversity hotspot, has raised significant concerns. The Western Ghats are home to a vast array of flora and fauna, with a high percentage of species being endemic to the region. The area is recognized for its rich biodiversity, with over 5,000 species of flowering plants, 139 mammal species, 508 bird species, and 179 amphibian species. At least 325 globally threatened species are found here.
Specifically, the project's potential impact on the Sharavathi Valley Lion-tailed Macaque Sanctuary has been a major point of contention. The sanctuary is home to the endangered lion-tailed macaque, one of the rarest primates in the world. The project would require the use of forestland within the sanctuary, potentially fragmenting the macaque's habitat and disrupting the ecosystem.
Opponents of the project also highlight the risk of landslides due to blasting, tunneling, and quarrying activities. The area is already prone to landslides, and the project's construction activities could further destabilize the terrain, potentially blocking or rerouting subsurface and surface water. There are also concerns about the impact on the Sharavathi River and its tributaries, which are crucial for agriculture, fisheries, and drinking water supply in the region.
A report by Praneetha Paul, Deputy Inspector General of Forests (MoEF&CC Regional Office), recommended rejecting the project, citing risks of landslides, tree loss, and ecological disaster. The report noted that over 15,000 trees would need to be felled and local settlements would be put at risk. Environmental groups have also criticized the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for being "deeply flawed and misleading," claiming it conceals major environmental and social consequences.
While the Karnataka government and energy officials maintain that the project is essential for meeting the state's power needs and will have minimal environmental impact, environmentalists argue that alternative solutions, such as battery energy storage systems and decentralized rooftop solar generation, could meet peak power requirements without harming the ecologically sensitive Western Ghats.
The central government's decision to put the Sharavathi project on hold reflects a growing recognition of the importance of protecting India's biodiversity, especially in ecologically fragile regions like the Western Ghats. The future of the project remains uncertain, pending further environmental assessments and consultations with local communities and experts. This situation underscores the ongoing tension between development goals and ecological preservation, highlighting the need for a balanced approach that prioritizes sustainable growth and environmental conservation.
