Sharavathi hydro project gets wildlife nod despite ecological concerns

A 2,000 MW pumped hydroelectric project proposed by Karnataka Power Corporation Ltd (KPCL) has secured in-principle wildlife clearance, despite facing sustained resistance from local communities and ecologists.

The Sharavathi Pumped Storage Project is located between the Talakalale and Gerusoppa reservoirs in Karnataka’s Western Ghats. The project area overlaps with the Sharavathi Lion-Tailed Macaque Wildlife Sanctuary and its eco-sensitive zone. It will require 14 kilometres of underground tunnels and a subsurface pump house, impacting over 100 hectares of land, including 42.5 hectares of forest.

Residents from Begodi in Uttara Kannada and Marathi Keri and Henni in Shivamogga have refused to part with their land, citing fears of displacement and the loss of forests and livelihoods. Many were previously displaced during the construction of the Linganamakki Dam in 1964.

The project area supports tropical forests and is home to roughly 730 endangered lion-tailed macaques. Senior forest officials, including Praneetha Paul, flagged the environmental risks in their field reports. Experts also warn that the project could disrupt biodiversity, reduce forest-based carbon sinks, and heighten the likelihood of landslides.

On 26 June 2025, the Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife (SC-NBWL) granted in-principle approval to the project with 28 conditions. This was done ahead of final clearances under forest, wildlife, and environment regulations.

The project’s tendering process has attracted controversy. Megha Engineering and Infrastructure Ltd (MEIL) secured the contract in 2024, despite being legally challenged by Larsen & Toubro. MEIL is reported to be the second-largest contributor to electoral bonds, worth Rs. 966 crore.

From a technical standpoint, the project has been criticised for inefficiency. It would consume 14,833 MWh to produce 12,000 MWh. Project costs have also doubled since 2017, rising from Rs. 4,862.69 crore to Rs. 10,240 crore in 2025. Some experts argue that the project’s cost-benefit ratio is unfavourable.

Karnataka Energy Minister K.J. George has defended the project as critical for managing peak electricity demand. Environmentalists, however, suggest exploring less invasive storage technologies, such as battery systems and demand management, as recommended in the National Electricity Plan 2023.

Source: Frontline