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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Time to give half of country's population its rights: PM Modi to LS MPs on women's quota bill
New Delhi (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday appealed to all Lok Sabha members to vote in favour of the women's reservation bill and not do anything that might hurt the sentiments of the country's 'nari shakti'.
Hours before the voting on the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, which provides for 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies, Modi also said that for four decades, a great deal of politics has been played on the issue of women's quota and it is now time that half the country's population gets its rights.
Members of the Lower House will also vote on the Delimitation Bill and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill for the delimitation of constituencies and increasing the strength of the Lok Sabha to 816 to implement the proposed amended women's quota law.
"In just a short while, voting will take place in the Lok Sabha. I urge all political parties... I appeal...Please, after due consideration and with complete sensitivity, take a decision and vote in favour of women's reservation.
"On behalf of the country's 'Nari Shakti', I also plead to all members... please do not do anything that might hurt the sentiments of 'Nari Shakti'," Modi said in his appeal in Hindi posted on X.
He said this is a great opportunity to extend service to the women of the country and to honour them, and the MPs should not deprive them of new opportunities.
"I would say to all the members of Parliament... Keeping in mind your mother, sister, daughter and wife at home, listen to your conscience. If this amendment is passed by consensus, the women of the country will become even more empowered. The democracy of the country will become even more empowered," he said.
"Come, let us together create history today. Give the women of India, the country's half population, their rightful due," the PM said.
