Opposition Grows Against 2,500-MW Varahi Pumped Storage Project in Western Ghats
Environmentalists are contesting the 2,500-MW Varahi pumped storage project, citing potential risks to biodiversity and local communities. The project is at risk of causing significant ecological damage in Udupi and Shivamogga districts, where landslides and habitat loss are already prevalent.
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Environmental activists are urging the Karnataka government to abandon the proposed 2,500-MW Varahi pumped storage project, emphasizing risks to biodiversity and local ecosystems. Concerns have risen regarding the impact on wildlife areas and the ecological integrity of the Western Ghats, especially in landslide-prone regions.
The Karnataka Power Corporation Limited (KPCL) is currently preparing surveys for the project, which would involve new infrastructure in sensitive areas. Activists estimate that implementation could result in the loss of 1,000 acres of forest and negatively affect local communities reliant on these lands for livelihood.
Scientific assessments have indicated that the region's carrying capacity is insufficient for another major reservoir, raising alarms about potential landslides and threats to existing dams. Local opposition has been noted, with approximately 10,000 individuals voicing their concerns against similar projects.
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