Shivamogga residents opposing Sharavathi Pumped Storage project demand public debate on project
Alleging that Energy Minister K.J. George was misleading the public with incorrect information on the proposed Sharavathi Pumped Storage Project, those opposing the project have
Alleging that Energy Minister K.J. George was misleading the public with incorrect information on the proposed Sharavathi Pumped Storage Project, those opposing the project have demanded that he hold a public discussion on the issue in Shivamogga. Maruthi Guruji, seer of Bangaramakki near Gerusoppa in Uttara Kannada district, said during a press conference in Shivamogga on Thursday that the Minister should convene a meeting on the project in the district.
He stated that those opposing the project were ready to participate in the discussion, armed with all relevant documents, and would present their arguments. George had earlier defended the project in media interactions, saying it would not cause much damage to forests. Rejecting this claim, the seer said the State government was adamant about implementing the project despite multiple expert reports opposing it.
“An expert panel constituted by the Wildlife Board recommended against implementing the project. However, Karnataka Power Corporation Limited, the project proponent, is now trying to secure a favourable report. It has recently approached the Institute of Advanced Studies for one,” he said. The seer further said the project site was known for lion-tailed macaques, whose ecosystem had already been fragmented, and that the project would cause further damage to the Western Ghats, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
He also alleged that officials were pressuring people likely to be affected by the project to relocate. K.E. Kanthesh of Rashtrabhaktara Balaga and others were present at the press conference.
The BriefWire