KARNATAKA HC VERDICT ON SHARAVATI PUMPED STORAGE HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT

Why in News?

• The Karnataka High Court issued a notice to the Central Government and Karnataka State Government on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) challenging approvals granted for the ₹10,000 crore Sharavathi Pumped Storage Hydroelectric Project.
• The petition questions the legality of approvals given by:
  • State Wildlife Board
  • Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL)
• The project is proposed in Shivamogga and Uttara Kannada districts of Karnataka.

REASON FOR THE PETITION

• The petitioners argue that the project violates provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
• According to the petition:
  • The project is located within the Sharavathi Valley Lion-Tailed Macaque Sanctuary
  • A part of the project area lies inside the Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) of the sanctuary
• Petitioners claim the project could cause serious damage to wildlife habitats.

RELEVANT LAW: SECTION 29 OF THE WILDLIFE PROTECTION ACT, 1972

• Section 29 of the Act states that:
  • No person shall destroy, exploit or remove wildlife or forest produce from a sanctuary
  • No activity should damage or divert wildlife habitat
  • Flow of water into or out of the sanctuary cannot be altered
• Such actions can only be allowed with permission from the Chief Wildlife Warden and must be justified for the improvement and management of wildlife in the sanctuary.
• The petitioners argue that the current project does not benefit wildlife conservation.

LAND AREA INVOLVED IN THE PROJECT According to the petition:

• Total land required: 763 hectares

Break-up:

• 102 hectares inside the wildlife sanctuary
• 715 hectares inside the Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ)

This raises concerns about habitat destruction and ecological damage.

ABOUT THE SHARAVATHI PUMPED STORAGE HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT

• The project is a Pumped Storage Hydropower Project (PSHP) proposed on the Sharavathi River in Karnataka.
• Key details:
  • Planned capacity: 2,000 MW
  • Estimated cost: ₹10,000 crore
  • Developed by Karnataka Power Corporation Limited (KPCL)
• If completed, it would become India’s largest pumped storage hydropower project.

HOW PUMPED STORAGE HYDROPOWER WORKS?

• A pumped storage power plant uses two reservoirs at different heights.
• Working mechanism:
  • During low electricity demand, water is pumped from the lower reservoir to the upper reservoir
  • During high electricity demand, water flows back down through turbines
  • The flowing water generates electricity
• This technology helps store energy and stabilise power supply, especially with renewable energy sources.

RESERVOIRS USED IN THE PROJECT The project will use two existing dams: Talakalale Dam

• Height: 48 metres
• Will function as the upper reservoir

Gerusoppa Dam

• Height: 64 metres
• Will function as the lower reservoir

Additional infrastructure includes:

• Five tunnels
• Eight pumping stations

ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS

• The project area lies within the Western Ghats, a globally recognised biodiversity hotspot.
• The Sharavathi Wildlife Sanctuary is home to several rare species, including:
  • Lion-tailed macaque (endangered)
  • Hornbills
  • King cobras
  • Several endemic plant species
• Environmentalists argue the project could threaten these fragile ecosystems.

ABOUT THE SHARAVATHI RIVER

• The Sharavathi River is located in Karnataka.
• Key facts:
  • One of the few west-flowing rivers in India
  • Originates in the Western Ghats
  • Flows northwest and drains into the Arabian Sea at Honnavar
• Total length: 128 km
• The river forms the famous Jog Falls, one of the highest waterfalls in India.
• Height of the falls: 253 metres.

MAJOR TRIBUTARIES OF SHARAVATHI Important tributaries include:

• Nandihole
• Haridravathi
• Mavinahole
• Hilkunji
• Yennehole
• Hurlihole
• Nagodihole

ABOUT NATIONAL BOARD FOR WILDLIFE

• The National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) is a statutory body established by the Central Government in 2003.
• It was constituted under Section 5A of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
• NBWL serves as the top advisory body in India on wildlife conservation.
• It advises the government on issues related to:
  • Wildlife protection
  • Management of Protected Areas (PAs)
  • Approval of development projects in wildlife habitats

ROLE & IMPORTANCE OF NBWL The National Board for Wildlife guides the government in making decisions related to:

• Wildlife conservation policies
• Protection of biodiversity
• Development projects in protected areas

It plays a key role in ensuring that development activities do not harm wildlife ecosystems. ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE The NBWL is a 47-member body. Leadership

• Chairperson: Prime Minister of India
• Vice-Chairperson: Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change

Members Include

• Chief of Army Staff
• Defence Secretary
• Expenditure Secretary of the Government of India
• Representatives from wildlife and conservation institutions

In addition, the government nominates:

• 10 eminent conservationists, ecologists and environmentalists

MEMBER SECRETARY OF NBWL

• The Additional Director General of Forests (Wildlife) and Director of Wildlife Preservation serves as the Member Secretary of the Board.
• The Member Secretary helps in:
  • Coordinating meetings
  • Implementing board decisions
  • Managing administrative functions

MAJOR FUNCTIONS OF NBWL

• The main functions of the National Board for Wildlife include:
• Wildlife Conservation
• Advising the Central and State Governments on matters related to wildlife protection.
• Recommending strategies to control poaching and illegal wildlife trade.
• Protected Area Management
• Providing recommendations for:
  • National Parks
  • Wildlife Sanctuaries
  • Other Protected Areas
• Environmental Impact Assessment
• Monitoring Conservation Efforts
• Preparing and publishing a Wildlife Status Report at least once every two years.

STANDING COMMITTEE OF NBWL

• The Standing Committee is a smaller body formed under the NBWL.
• Composition
• Consists of not more than 10 members
• Chairperson: Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change

ROLE OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE

• The Standing Committee mainly deals with project approvals in protected areas.

Its functions include:

• Examining development projects in wildlife sanctuaries
• Regulating land diversion in protected areas
• Reviewing activities within Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs)
• Thus, it acts as a project clearance authority.

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN NBWL & STANDING COMMITTEE OF NBWL