In Short : The Karnataka government plans to divert 23 hectares of forest land for the JSW project, sparking environmental concerns. This decision requires approval from regulatory bodies, given its potential impact on local ecosystems and wildlife. Environmentalists and communities may oppose the move, emphasizing the need to balance industrial development with the protection of biodiversity and habitats.
In Detail : BENGALURU: The forest department has recommended diversion of 23.3 hectares of forest land in Sandur taluk of Ballari district for setting up a Rs 64-crore, 130 MW power storage plant by JSW Renewable Energy Limited.
Even as the department is holding multiple consultations over permitting a pumped storage project inside Sharavathi Wildlife Sanctuary, senior forest officials from Ballari Circle recommended clearing forests in Sandur ta- luk for the energy project.
Unlike Sharavathi pumped storage project which falls within protected area, Ballari forest officials in their recommendations, a copy of which was accessed by TOI, cited that the sought forest land is not part of any national park, sanctuary, elephant corridor or protected area, hence, the project could be considered as per provisions of the Forest (Conservation) Act-1980.
Forest officials, who inspected the project site, said: “The proposed area is 8km away from Daroji Sloth Bear Sanctuary… and 17.1km from Gudekote Sloth Bear Sanctuary… Enumeration of 2,539 trees that need to be axed has also been completed.”
Recommending the project for consideration, the chief conservator of forests, Ballari circle, said in his letter that the user agency has already identified 23.7 hectares of land at Agasanur village in Siruguppa taluk of Ballari for compensatory afforestation. “The user agency has given an undertaking to pay Rs 2.9 crore as the net present value (NPV),” the CCF stated.
