Residents of Talakalale fear displacement again due to Sharavathi pumped storage project
Shivamogga: Residents of Talakalale in Sagar taluk, Shivamogga district, are once again facing the threat of displacement, this time due to the proposed ₹8,644 crore Sharavathi Pumped Storage Hydropower Project. The very families whose forefathers were displaced five decades ago by the construction of the Talakalale dam now fear losing their homes, land, and livelihoods all over again.
The project, set to be established in the Simha Balda Singalika Wildlife Sanctuary, aims to generate 2,000 megawatts of power using water from the Talakalale and Gerusoppa reservoirs. If completed, it would be the largest pumped storage project in India. However, for local communities, it has become a source of growing anxiety.
Villagers from Henni, Marathi Camp, Gundibailu, and Jadagallu, located within the sanctuary limits, have reportedly received eviction notices. These areas had become a refuge for many who were earlier displaced by the Talakalale dam.
A team led by the Sagar sub-divisional officer has already begun identifying properties for acquisition. Around 12 homes in Marathi Camp and Gundibailu are being targeted. According to local officials, the National Wildlife Board gave in-principle approval for the project in its 84th Standing Committee meeting held in New Delhi under the chairmanship of Union Forest Minister Bhupender Yadav. Subsequently, three formal notices have been served to residents.
Local opposition and demands for fair compensation
During a public meeting convened by Sagar MLA Gopalakrishna Belur, villagers expressed serious concerns about the inadequacy of the proposed compensation. Many farmers demanded that compensation be based on crop value rather than mere land area.
Santosh, a resident of Marathi Camp and one of the affected farmers, said, “I have over 500 areca nut trees. If compensation is calculated based on yield, I should be getting nearly ₹2 crore. But officials say this is forest land and we won’t get that much.”
He added that if the government cannot even provide jobs or alternative housing for 11 displaced families in a project worth thousands of crores, then the state’s promise rings hollow. Residents are demanding scientific compensation that includes housing, employment for their children, and protection of existing agricultural land and homes.
Manjunath, another resident, pointed out that the government was not giving them accurate information. “We pay taxes and have title deeds. Still, we are being told to vacate. Eleven households have already received notices,” he said.
Shivanand, the son of Santosh and an SSLC graduate, added that due to financial difficulties, he had to discontinue his education. “We are losing the property built by our ancestors. At night, we can’t even sleep peacefully. Officials have started marking trees around our homes.”
MLA assures employment but fails to convince
MLA Gopalakrishna Belur stated that only around 8 acres of land belonging to local people would be used for the project and that minimal damage would be caused to private property. He assured that affected families would be offered jobs in the Karnataka Power Corporation Limited (KPCL). However, villagers remain unconvinced, saying they will pursue legal action if their demands are not met.
Environmentalists raise alarm over forest destruction
Environmental groups and activists have also strongly opposed the project. The Singalika Wildlife Sanctuary is home to over 700 lion-tailed macaques, a species not found in such large numbers in any other reserve in India. The project requires 352.77 acres of land, of which 133.81 acres fall under forest area. Conservationists fear that the project will pose a serious threat to biodiversity in the Western Ghats, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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MEA reports more than 200 Indians enlisted in Russian military since 2022; 26 deaths confirmed
More than 200 Indian nationals have joined the Russian armed forces since 2022, with 26 are confirmed dead, MEA—The Ministry of External Affairs have informed the Upper house of the Parliament: Rajya Sabha.
In a written response, the Minister of State for External Affairs, Kirti Vardhan Singh, has stated that at least 202 Indians are reported to have joined the Russian army. Among these recruited personnels, 26 have lost their lives; while, seven individuals have been reported missing by Russian authorities. He added that the remains of two deceased Indian nationals were cremated in Russia.
Singh noted that the sustained diplomatic efforts by the Indian government have led to the early discharge of 119 individuals. He further added that the discussions are going smoothly with the Russians to secure the release of the remaining personnel, with efforts underway to facilitate the early discharge of 50 more Indian nationals.
According to the minister, the Union government is in contact with Russian authorities to ensure the safety, welfare, and prompt return of Indian citizens serving in the Russian army. The issue, he said, is being addressed at multiple levels, including interactions between senior leaders, ministers, and officials of both countries.
The said disclosure was made in response to queries raised by Saket Gokhale, the MP of Trinamool Congress, and Randeep Singh Surjewala, the MP of INC, regarding the number of Indians allegedly recruited into the military service in Russia; Along with the details of deaths and missing persons reported since 2022.
