Karnataka halts GoaTamnar power line project to save Western Ghats
In a major boost for environment and forest conservation, the Karnataka government has rejected the proposal for the GoaTamnar power project recommended by its own officials.
Minister for Forest, Ecology and Environment Eshwar Khandre has not only rejected the proposal of its senior personnel in the Forest department to divert forest land in favour of power lines, but also issued notices to the officials and sought an explanation from them for their stance.
A communique issued by the Ministry to the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) and Head of Forest Forces dated March 16, 2024, states that the proposed diversion of forests should be rejected and the power lines realigned along nonforest areas. It also states that in future, such proposals should be treated with caution at the preliminary stage itself, given the imperatives of conservation for posterity.
The communique directed the PCCF to issue notices and seek explanations from officials who had recommended the diversion of forest land despite the project entailing largescale felling of trees and forest destruction.
The GoaTamnar power project entailed drawing 400 kV D/C Quad Transmission Line and the project authorities had sought the diversion of 174.652 hectares of forest land in Dharwad, Haliyal, Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary and Belagavi division. The transmission line was to connect the existing power grid in Narendra in Dharwad district to Xeldem in Goa and the length of the transmission line was 94 km out of which 72 km of the line was to pass through Karnataka forests, including 6.6 km of the line through the AnshiDandeli tiger reserve.
The Deputy Conservator of Forests of Belagavi division rejected the project as the forest land falls in the Western Ghats with rare and endangered species. The official also said that the project would cause damage to the biodiversity of the area and the ecosystem of Western Ghats apart from bifurcating the entire landscape. However, officials of Dharwad, Haliyal and Dandeli gave consent and estimated that about 35% of the nearly 73,000 trees estimated were to be felled.
‘Positive move’
Welcoming the government decision, wildlife conservationist Giridhar Kulkarni said it was a “positive and bold” move.
Mr. Kulkarni had written to the authorities that the removal of native vegetation for the project would result in the fragmentation of forests, degradation and loss of wildlife habitat besides causing humananimal conflict in the region.