Shivamogga DC Denies Power Plant Proposal in Sagar; Public Hearing Highlights Opposition to Sharavathi Project
Recent claims of a power plant being proposed for Besur village in Sagar taluk have been explicitly refuted by Shivamogga Deputy Commissioner Prabhulinga Kavalikatti. He clarified that the district administration was merely contacted by the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) regarding land availability for a project. Meanwhile, a separate, significant project, the Sharavathi Pumped Storage Project (PSP), continues to face considerable public opposition and environmental scrutiny in the region.
Sharavathi Project Faces Backlash and Regulatory Hurdles
The Sharavathi Pumped Storage Project (PSP), an ambitious 2,000 MW hydroelectric initiative slated for the ecologically sensitive Western Ghats in Shivamogga district, has ignited a fervent debate between development proponents and environmental guardians. This project, planned for the Sharavathi basin which already hosts substantial hydropower infrastructure, has been met with outright rejection by locals during public hearings. Residents, some of whom have faced displacement multiple times due to past projects on the Sharavathi River, have voiced their strong opposition.
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"India does not need another destructive hydropower project."
The project's environmental impact has also drawn attention from central authorities. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has previously rejected forest clearance for the Sharavathi hydro project, citing landslide risks and potential damage to the Western Ghats. The Karnataka State Disaster Management Authority has identified Shivamogga as a district vulnerable to landslides and floods, underscoring the ecological sensitivities at play.
Public Hearings Reveal Deep-Seated Concerns
Environmental public hearings, jointly conducted by the Shivamogga district administration, Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB), and Karnataka Power Corporation (KPC), have become focal points for dissent. These hearings, held in Kargal, Sagar Taluk, have seen near-universal rejection of the Sharavathi PSP by attendees, including environmentalists and local communities. Participants have consistently called for the project's termination.
Background Developments in Sagar Taluk
While the NTPC's land inquiry remains unsubstantiated as a concrete proposal, other developmental and community-focused initiatives have surfaced in Sagar taluk.
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Electrification Efforts: In Uralagallu village, nestled within the forests of Sagar taluk, the Mangaluru Electricity Supply Company (Mescom) has proposed electrification for 54 households. This comes as residents have long lived without basic amenities, facing challenges like inadequate roads and limited access to education, prompting some to send their children to residential schools at a young age.
Land Acquisition for Sharavathi Project: The Sharavathi PSP itself necessitates the acquisition of 352.77 acres, a significant portion of which falls within forest areas. The project's approval has also been linked to complex internal reservation policies for Scheduled Castes within the state government's decisions.
Displacement Fears: Residents of Talakalale have expressed renewed anxieties about potential displacement due to the Sharavathi pumped storage project, adding another layer to the community's concerns regarding the initiative.
