Archive · 9 Nov 2025
Centre Halts Sharavathy Project Over Ecological Concerns in Western Ghats
Imagine a beautiful forest in the Western Ghats, which is a special home for many rare animals and plants, like the Lion-Tailed Macaque.
Some people want to build a big power project there, which would involve cutting down over 15,000 trees and digging deep into the ground.
The government committee looked at this plan and said 'Hold on!'.
They are worried that building this project would cause too much harm to the forest and the animals living there.
They are concerned that the unique types of trees and plants might be lost forever, and that digging and blasting could cause landslides.
Even though the project could create a lot of electricity, the committee believes that protecting the nature in this special place is more important right now.
So, they've put the project on hold until they can be sure that the forest and its inhabitants will be safe.
Centre has deferred the Sharavathy Pumped Storage Hydroelectric Project proposal due to ecological concerns.
The project requires diverting approximately 54 hectares of forest land within the Sharavathy Valley Lion-Tailed Macaque Sanctuary.
Concerns include the felling of over 15,000 trees in a biodiversity hotspot and the destruction of unique, vulnerable ecosystems.
The project's location and construction methods raise risks of landslides, erosion, and severe habitat fragmentation for species like the Lion-Tailed Macaque.
Additional information and a wildlife mitigation plan are required before the proposal can be reconsidered.
- Who
- The Centre (Environment Ministry's Forest Advisory Committee)
- What
- Deferred a proposal to divert forest land for the Sharavathy Pumped Storage Hydroelectric Project.
- When
- On October 27 (meeting date), with the news reported on November 9.
- Where
- In the Sharavathy Valley Lion-Tailed Macaque Sanctuary, Western Ghats, Karnataka.
- Why
- Serious ecological concerns including potential damage to biodiversity, felling of over 15,000 trees, risks to wildlife like the Lion-Tailed Macaque, and potential for landslides due to construction in a sensitive seismic zone.
- Project Name
- Sharavathy Pumped Storage Hydroelectric Project
- Capacity
- 2,000 megawatts
- Forest Land Diverted
- Approximately 54 hectares
- Location
- Sharavathy Valley Lion-Tailed Macaque Sanctuary, Western Ghats
- Key Concerns
- Biodiversity loss, tree felling, landslide risks, habitat fragmentation
- Status
- Proposal deferred