Athirappilly Hydro Electric Project, one of Kerala’s prestigious
projects has an installed capacity of 163MW (2x80MW + 2×1.5MW), 233 Mu
(firm energy). It is located in Chalakudy river basin in Thrissur
district. The scheme envisages the utilization of release from
Poringalkuthu powerhouse, spill from Poringalkuthu dam and the inflow
from 26 square kilometer of its own catchment, downstream of
Poringalkuthu dam. In order to maintain the charisma of Vazhachal
Cascade and Athirappilly falls, a small powerhouse of 3 MW (2 x 1.5 MW)
is also proposed at the toe of Athirappilly dam.
The total
forest area to be diverted for the project comes to 138.00 Ha. only and
the submergence area extends over 104.4 Ha of forest area, of which 28.4
Ha is natural forest, 36.8 Ha is reserve forest plantations and 39.2 Ha
is riverbed.
The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) had accorded Techno
economic clearance for this Project (2x 80 MW) on 31-3-2005.� The
Environmental clearance to the project was obtained on 20-1-1998 based
on the rapid Environmental Impact Assessment study conducted by Tropical
Botanic Garden & Research Institute (TBGRI) including site visits
by experts deputed by MoE&F. Stage-I Forest clearance was accorded
by Ministry of Environment & Forest (MoE&F) on 22-12-1997 and
the Stage-II forest clearance on 16-12-1999. There is no displacement of
tribes or any families.
The project was again accorded
Environmental Clearance in 2005, based on the EIA study conducted by
Water & Power Consultancy Services India Ltd (WAPCOS) ,as a result
of a judgment by Hon� High Court of Kerala ,on procedural grounds i.e.
due to� change in the EIA notification, public hearing was made
mandatory. The project was ,still again accorded Environmental Clearance
in 2007 by Ministry of Environment & Forest including site visits
by experts from various disciplines deputed by MoE&F again, based on
a judgments� by Hon� High Court of Kerala,on procedural grounds i.e.
due to change in the EIA notification ,circulation of EIA report was
made mandatory.
Different yardstick for Kerala- A suspicious game.
The
implementation of the project was delayed due to a writ Appeal pending
consideration before Hon� High Court of Kerala with respect to
re-tendering of execution of the project by KSE Board. Two Public
Interest Litigations (PIL) have also been filed against the grant of
environmental clearance. The Hon� High Court had concluded the hearing
of the PIL reserved for judgment. Meanwhile, KSE Board is in receipt of a
show cause notice issued by MoE&F dated 4.1.2010 w.r.t revoking the
environmental clearance granted by MoE&F.
MoE&F is a
respondent to the PIL pending disposal before the Hon� High Court of
Kerala. Standing Counsel appearing on behalf of Govt. of India was
present during the conduct of hearing. MoE&F have not filed any
affidavit for or against the case till date. The action of MoE&F is
so apprehensive and unconvinced.
Three different expert
committees constituted under statute by MoE&F consisting of 13
members each had examined the project and came to very same conclusion
i.e.� with regard to issue environmental clearance. Various experts in
various disciplines had visited the project site from 1997 to 2007 and
forwarded their recommendations to MoE&F. Two public hearings were
conducted viz in 2002 & 2005 to facilitate the public to express
their opinion and outlook.
It is based on all the above that
MoE&F had accorded environmental clearance in 2007. If a Ministry
issues notice to revoke a clearance already issued, then why constituted
a Committee of experts to examine the projects and crores of expense to
exchequer?. The MoS has remarked that by �eyesight� they had judged the
impact. If such is the case, then why rules/acts /notifications etc for
conducting EIA studies. A deplorable precedence is being created and
unheard in the history of Power sector in India.
The show cause
notice cites the proposed Athirappilly project will affect the
bio-diversity. The same ministry had cleared 12 projects proposed inside
or in proximity to Wild Life Sanctuaries and National parks else where
in the country. This includes diversion of 1016 ha of forestland from a
Wild Life Sanctuary in Andhra Pradesh for construction of a
hydroelectric project.
Most of the wild life sanctuaries in our
state house reservoirs owned by KSE Board. Above all, if there were
concern on environment, then why no one challenged the forest clearance
issued so far.
Hidden Agenda
There
is a hidden agenda to delay the implementation of the project and make
it unviable i.e. project cost in 2001 was Rs 409 cores has heen raised
to Rs 567 crores in 2006. We should not allow those who work against the
development of the state to flourish and let our next generation should
not starve for power at reasonable price.
