Western Ghats Calling: August 2012

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Mini hydel causing macro scars in the Western Ghats

There is a rush to flood the Western Ghats in Karnataka with mini hydel projects, each with an installed capacity of around 25 MW. Promoted by public sector Karnataka Renewable Energy Development Limited and built by private players, as many as 836 mini hydel plants with a combined capacity of over 4,000 MW have been under various stages of implementation, from consideration to construction. Numerous such projects shall soon dot the rivers like Netravathi, Kumaradhra and Gundias on Dakshin Kannada map. Reports indicate that nearly 108 mini hydel projects are at various stages of completion.

Since these can be built without undergoing any environment impact assessment and consequently do not need environment clearance as well as mandatory public hearing, there is literally a ‘gold rush’ to scar (see picture) the picturesque Western Ghats with such power units. Though one would imagine these units to be non-obstructive and non-offensive in nature, dams to create the desired head discharge are at times as high as 10 meters.

Simply assuming that a mini hydel project will be green and clean by default could indeed be untrue. Sample this: the 24.75 MW MHP by AMR in Perla Village and another 24.75 MW MHP at Shemburi by Ritwick Energy near Mangalore are in reality on big project worth 50 MW whereas as per the Project Design Document submitted to UNFCCC for claiming Carbon Credits, both were 'separate' mini projects. Much to everybody’s surprise, Netravathi river has been dammed with huge submerge upstream of the structure, sudden release from which had drowned three youths last year.

Same is the case with the Maruthi Power Gen dams in Hassan, which were shown at two different locations on paper (to avoid forest clearance) but were being executed as one huge structure on ground. The construction and tunneling activity has caused extensive damage to forests and wildlife habitat. On the other hand, Kukke I Project near Hosmata is unique as it will not only submerge houses and endanger a critically endangered plant that has recently been rediscovered in the area but will submerge part of another MHP unit upstream as well.

Since mini hydel projects do not need mandatory public hearing, an informal public hearing was organised under the aegis of the Save Western Ghats Movement by Prakruti and SANDRP on Aug 4-5, 2012 at Kukke Subramanya, a small temple town near the origin of the river Kumaradhara in Dakshin Kannada district. As many as 60 affected farmers, fishermen, activists, researchers and scientists took part in the discussions and issued a ‘Subramanya Declaration’ that called for greater regulation of the sector alongside punitive action for those violating the norms.

Mini hydel projects can be clean, green and welcome provided the sector is regulated and efforts made to involve local population in planning and implementation of such schemes with a caveat that the communities have access to power generated through MHPs in their area.

Parineeta Dandekar

Save Western Ghats Movement (SWGM)

SWGM has an unpleasant history. Hailed by India Today as one of the finest post-independence environmental movement, the mid-1980s march along the pristine 'ghats' had to wither away on account of internal squabbling between the organizers. Between 2006 till 2008, Sudhirendar Sharma got an opportunity to travel across the region to capture the latent energy among diverse actors to reignite the past. Together with Pandurang Hegde, who carried the painful memories of the past, the Save Western Ghats Movement of the 80's was revived at Peaceful Society in Goa in 2009. Peaceful Society (led by Kalanand Mani) had played stellar role in anchoring the SWGM in 1988.

SWGM Conferences

Three important congregations of activists, researchers, scientists, artists, politicians and thinkers have been organised since 2009 under the aegis of Save Western Ghats Movement - an informal platform of civil society actors. While the first, in 2009 in Ponda (Goa) revived the erstwhile movement of the mid-80's, the second in Kotagiri (Tamilnadu) in 2010 was major milestone as it led to the setting-up of the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel by the Ministry of Environment & Forests. The third congregation at Moodbidri (Karnataka) in 2011 reiterated civil society commitment to conserve the ghats whatever be the outcome of the panel.

Sussegad

Sussegad, meaning `easygoing’, is often associated with the Goans but it does extend to other areas along the Western Ghats, notably hilly parts of Karnataka. Mellowed down by the warmth of the Sun, the coolness of the rains and the wisdom of the green hills, people in these parts of the Western Ghats are known for their simplicity and hospitality. Accommodating as they are, sussegad lends a distinct cultural identity to these people.

When the world elsewhere is racing against materialistic greed, sussegad provides the much desired calming effect. Gandhi used to say: `there is more to life than speed.’ People in the ghats seem to have imbibed that spirit from time immemorial. Being laid back and stealing siesta time during each afternoon may seem out of place for an average outsider but for people here it is an accepted practice that renders them inherent strength – of being in harmony with self, society and nature. It seems sussegad could be for the good of the entire society. Any takers!

Open House

By definition, activists are an interesting bunch of people with high octane levels. At the heart of activism lies the unflinching desire to bring the world on its feet. Unilaterally focussed, immensely committed and socially driven, activists have struggled to carve out a niche for themselves in the shrinking social space. Yet, they enjoy the patronage of the state and its cronies. Had there not been the state with its dubious designs, the breed called activists would not have existed? Wonder, who then is the real activist?

Do you agree with this notion?

All About Frogs

Pictorial Guide to Frogs and Toads of the Western Ghats has been published to help students, researchers, forest managers, photographers and general public in identifying a species in the field along with its status, ecology and distribution. Simultaneously it also aims at bringing awareness about amphibians among general public. This book covers 73 species of 156 frogs and toads recorded from the Western Ghats as of date. Written by Dr. KV Gururaja, the book is available through: http://shop.gubbilabs.in.