Environmental nod to Karnataka projects: Govt of India's contradictory approach raises eyebrows

By Shankar Sharma*

Recent decisions made by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) and the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) regarding environmental issues in Karnataka have stirred significant discussion in the local media.

Environmentalists have welcomed the rejection of the Kalasa Nala Diversion project across the Mahadayi River (photo) and the Ministry's request for the Karnataka government to clarify the use of forest land for the Yettinahole Water Project.

However, the conditional approval for the Goa-Karnataka power line cutting through the Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuary has raised serious concerns among conservation advocates.

This apparent contradiction has led many to question the government's environmental policies, suggesting they may be influenced by political factors. Critics point out the inconsistency in reasoning, noting that while the Kalasa Nala Diversion was rejected due to the expected felling of approximately 200,000 trees in a densely forested area, an even larger number of trees—many within a legally protected area—will likely need to be cut for the power line.

Moreover, questions have emerged about the MoEFCC’s prolonged silence regarding the environmental impacts of the Yettinahole project, which has been in discussion for over a decade.

Residents are alarmed by the fact that over the past six years, the MoEFCC has granted approvals for more than 270 projects within protected regions, contributing to the diversion of around 120,000 hectares of original forest land. Reports indicate that between July 2014 and April 2020, the Ministry approved 87% of the environment clearance requests made, leading to significant deforestation.

Impartial approach to evaluating various project proposals in Western Ghats is essential for maintaining ecological integrity

Some political leaders are now using these reports to challenge the MoEFCC's inconsistent policies and its perceived lax enforcement of the Wildlife Protection Act and the Forest Conservation Act.

There are growing fears that the Ministry may fail to address these political criticisms and uphold its responsibility to acts of forest conservation. To restore public confidence, the MoEFCC must reaffirm its commitment to safeguarding forests, rivers, and protected areas by rejecting all proposals for forest land diversion in these critical regions.

This includes re-evaluating project proposals that threaten biodiversity and wildlife sanctuaries and ensuring a consistent application of environmental laws.

In light of these challenges, MoEFCC and NBWL must promptly and permanently reject any proposals that would lead to the destruction of significant forestland in Karnataka's wildlife sanctuaries for hydropower projects.

A comprehensive and impartial approach to evaluating the various project proposals in the Western Ghats is essential for maintaining ecological integrity.

---

*Power & Climate Policy Analyst, Karnataka. This article reflects the author’s representation to the Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and the Vice-Chairperson of the National Board for Wildlife

Comments

'Direct support to genocide': IISc's India-Israel business meet to track defence, cybersecurity cooperation

By Our Representative An online petition endorsed by hundreds of scholars, activists and professionals across the world has asked Prof Govindan Rangarajan, director, Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, to stop the India Israel Business Summit proposed to be held on 23rd September, "and not allow the use of the IISc as a platform to legitimise genocide and colonialism."

Born two decades ago, how the banned Maoist party failed to withstand evolving socio-political realities

By Harsh Thakor* On September 21, exactly two decades ago, the now banned Communist Party of India (Maoist) (CPI-Maoist) was established. It was born following the merger brought of two factions—the Maoist Communist Centre of India, primarily based in Bihar and West Bengal, and the CPI (ML) People’s War—after more than 30 years of intense armed struggle and internal conflicts. Since its formation on September 21, 2004, sources in the the CPI (Maoist) claim, as many as 5,249 comrades, including 22 members of its Central Committee, among whom a significant number are women, were killed mainly during encounter with Indian security forces. The journey of the CPI (Maoist) is rooted in the famous 1967 Naxalbari uprising led by Charu Mazumdar, which was praised by the Communist Party of China (CPC) as the "Spring Thunder over India." The uprising followed a revolt within the CPI (M) by those who adhered to the Maoist ideology, emphasizing an armed agrarian revolution and area

Sharp rise in militarization of Bastar as in Kashmir? 54,543 hectares set aside for Army maneuver: FACAM

By Our Representative In the wake of a recent press conference by Home Minister Amit Shah, the civil rights organization Forum Against Corporatization and Militarization (FACAM) has raised alarms over a significant increase in militarization efforts in Chhattisgarh. The state government has tasked the Narayanpur district administration with acquiring and reallocating 54,543 hectares of land within the Abhujmad forests for the establishment of a maneuver range meant for the Indian Army.

A Hindu alternative to Valentine's Day? 'Shiv-Parvati was first love marriage in Universe'

By Rajiv Shah* The other day, I was searching on Google a quote on Maha Shivratri which I wanted to send to someone, a confirmed Shiv Bhakt, quite close to me -- with an underlying message to act positively instead of being negative. On top of the search, I chanced upon an article in, imagine!, a Nashik Corporation site which offered me something very unusual.

Swami Vivekananda's views on caste and sexuality were 'painfully' regressive

By Bhaskar Sur* Swami Vivekananda now belongs more to the modern Hindu mythology than reality. It makes a daunting job to discover the real human being who knew unemployment, humiliation of losing a teaching job for 'incompetence', longed in vain for the bliss of a happy conjugal life only to suffer the consequent frustration.

Clive Lloyd legacy reminds us of the golden era that reshaped cricket

By Harsh Thakor* As August 31 marked the 80th birthday of cricketing icon Clive Lloyd, it also heralds the impending 50th anniversary of his ascension to the captaincy of the West Indies team. Under his leadership, a collection of extraordinary talents coalesced to create one of the most formidable teams in cricket history. The roots of West Indian cricket dominance trace back to a colonial past.

To Swami Vivekananda, Mohammedan conquest of India was 'salvation of downtrodden'

By Ram Puniyani* In July 2024, England experienced widespread riots and civil unrest across several cities, primarily driven by misinformation and anti-immigration sentiments. Muslims were predominantly targeted during these disturbances, leading to attacks on mosques and communities housing immigrants. In response, the UK’s All-Party Parliamentary Group released a report aimed at preventing future violence, which included a ban on the phrasing “Muslims spread Islam by the sword,” acknowledging its role in perpetuating Islamophobia.

Impact of water anxiety, stress and trauma on women: World Water Week 2024 talkshow

By Mansee Bal Bhargava, Durga Das, Garbhit Naik, Sromona Burman* A newly formed no bet-for-profit organization, WODER , dedicated and motivated to work towards water security for all for all the time, was at the World Water Week (WWW) 2024 organized by the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI) from August 25 to 29th. The WWW2024 theme was, ‘Bridging Borders: Water for a Peaceful and Sustainable Future’ and centered around water cooperation for peace and security. The event underscored the collaborative effort needed to achieve a peaceful and sustainable future.

Hindu protests erupt in Bangladesh amidst political turmoil, Yunus seeks amicable relations with India

By Nava Thakuria* Recent public demonstrations in Dhaka and Chittagong have challenged the commonly held perception that Hindus and other religious minorities in Bangladesh are always subjected to persecution by the Muslim majority. Following a period of significant political unrest that began in July, at least four large protests have emerged, the latest occurring on September 13, 2024.

Search This Blog