Now Reading: KPCL reduces tree felling in Sharavathi sanctuary to 6,300
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KPCL reduces tree felling in Sharavathi sanctuary to 6,300
The Karnataka Power Corporation Limited has scaled down its planned tree felling in the Sharavathi Valley Lion Tailed Macaque Sanctuary from 16,000 to 6,300 trees. The Deccan Herald reports that the KPCL…
The Story in Brief
The Karnataka Power Corporation Limited has scaled down its planned tree felling in the Sharavathi Valley Lion Tailed Macaque Sanctuary from 16,000 to 6,300 trees. The Deccan Herald reports that the KPCL had originally sought 131.81 acres of forest land in the sanctuary to build an underground powerhouse between two reservoirs, aiming to generate 2,000 MW of power.
The revision comes amid environmental concerns over the impact on the sanctuary, which is a protected habitat for the lion-tailed macaque. The project involves constructing a powerhouse for the Sharavathi pumped storage scheme. The exact timeline for the felling and the final clearance from the Forest Department remain pending.
The Indian Opinion
Environmental clearance for hydro projects often sees last-minute cuts that please no one fully. The KPCL’s reduction from 16,000 to 6,300 trees sounds like a compromise, but activists worry about the sanctuary’s macaque habitat. The real test will be the final felling count on the ground and whether compensatory afforestation is actually monitored. Should a 2,000 MW project justify the loss of any sacred grove?
Source: deccanherald.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
