MoEFCC rejects forest clearance for Sharavathi pumped storage project

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has denied forest clearance for the proposed 2,000 MW Sharavathi Pumped Storage Hydel Project in Karnataka. The decision was based on environmental concerns, including risks of landslides and inadequate compensatory afforestation land.

The project, proposed by Karnataka Power Corporation Limited (KPCL), is planned in the Shivamogga district and involves significant land disturbance. Activities such as steep slope cutting, road construction, tree felling, and blasting were flagged in the ministry’s assessment as potential triggers for regional destabilisation and landslides.

The MoEFCC report also highlighted that the compensatory land offered for forest diversion was insufficient.

KPCL had proposed to use Talakalale as the upper reservoir and Gerusoppa as the lower dam on the Sharavathi river. The project, estimated to cost Rs 740 billion, was expected to be completed in five years.