Sharavathi power project will destroy protected monuments, say activists: Report
Bengaluru: Environmental and heritage conservation activists have raised serious concerns ahead of the upcoming public hearing for the proposed Sharavathi pumped storage power project, warning that the project could lead to the destruction of protected historical monuments located within the Sharavathi Lion-Tailed Macaque (LTM) Sanctuary.
The Karnataka Power Corporation Limited (KPCL) pumped storage project seeks to generate power by pumping water from Talakalale reservoir (upstream) and Gerusoppa reservoir (downstream). The project requires 133.81 acres of forest land and involves felling of over 16,000 trees.
Shivamogga-based history enthusiast Ajay Kumar B.S. wrote to the government stating that the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) deliberately overlooks the existence of the monuments, as reported by Deccan Herald on Monday.
According to Kumar, the monuments listed by by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) in the project site — Chaturmukha Basadi, Vardhaman Swami Temple, inscriptions, and the Virbhadra Temple — are historically significant and date back to the 16th century, during the reign of Rani Chennabhairadevi.
“She is the longest reigning queen in Indian history. She also fought the Portuguese who gave her the title ‘Rainha de Pimenta’ that translates into ‘The Queen of Pepper’ as her kingdom was known for exporting spices to European and Arab countries,” DH quoted him as saying.
He further emphasised that the project area, as demarcated in KPCL’s maps, lies within forests that were once part of the Gerusoppa kingdom, which served as Rani Chennabhairadevi’s capital.
In a letter addressed to senior officials in the Forest Department, Kumar criticised the EIA report for failing to include any mention of the ASI-protected monuments. “These matters should have been covered by the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) report, which essentially denies the existence of the monuments. The KPCL cannot go ahead with the project this way,” Kumar wrote.
Adding to the controversy, KPCL reportedly responded “no” to a query from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) regarding whether the project has “any impact on anthropological or archaeological sites or any important site featuring in the vicinity of the proposed site”.
Meanwhile, the public hearing is slated for the project in Shivamogga on Tuesday and in Uttara Kannada on Thursday.
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Explosion in Molakera village: Minister Eshwara Khandre inquiries about health of injured
Bidar: District In-charge Minister Eshwara Khandre visited the injured in the mysterious explosion that took place in Molakera village of Humnabad taluk and are currently undergoing treatment at the district hospital. The minister visited the hospital this morning and enquired about the health condition of the injured.
Speaking to reporters after the hospital visit, Khandre described the incident as deeply painful and unfortunate. “Yesterday’s explosion in Molakera village is extremely tragic. Four children sustained burn injuries, while two adults were seriously injured. One of them has been shifted to Solapur and the other to Hyderabad for advanced medical treatment,” he said.
He assured that all the injured are receiving proper medical care and that the district administration is closely monitoring their condition. “Doctors have been instructed to provide the best possible treatment to the injured,” the minister said.
Khandre said that a thorough investigation is underway to determine the cause of the explosion and identify those responsible. “The government has taken this incident very seriously. I met the Chief Minister yesterday and briefed him on the facts of the incident,” he said.
He further announced that the government will bear the entire cost of medical treatment for all the injured. “Strict legal action will be taken against whoever is found responsible after the investigation,” he assured, while appealing to the villagers not to panic
