Maruti Power Gen's hydel project an environmental disaster

Green activists have petitioned the deputy commissioner of Hassan to stop blasts at the site of the Maruti Power-Gen and stop illegal constructions in the reserve forests of Shiradi ghats.

The forest department has detected violations by Maruti Power-Gen Pvt Ltd, which is constructing a mini-hydel power project in the Western Ghats. An FIR has been booked by the local officer in this regard.

Sanjay Gubbi, conservationist and wildlife scholar, told DNA that the company is constructing the power project in reserved forests in Sakleshpur in Hassan district. He said the area is rainforest habitat and is home to several endangered species including tiger, elephant, leopard, and Travancore flying squirrel, all protected under the Wildlife Protection Act.

Allegedly, the large-scale blasting undertaken to dig tunnels has been disturbing wildlife. Large-scale felling of mature rainforest trees has disturbed the pristine habitat of birds, reptiles and other species. Also, the company has allegedly built roads inside this fragile eco-system, leading to landslides in the area.

Wildlife warden of Karnataka and former cricketer Anil Kumble visited the site along with Gubbi and found out that the habitat of several wildlife species was in danger around the project site.
All is well: DC

KG Jagadeesh, deputy commissioner of Hassan, told DNA that Maruti Power-Gen had been given permission three months ago to take up only controlled blasting on their site.

He said forest department officers have been asked to monitor the blasting regularly. The DC said district forest officer recently surveyed the damage and reported that the denudation of the forest was minimal.

After visiting the project site, forest minister CP Yogeshwar directed the officials to assess the damage to the environment and wildlife. He said he would visit the place again if he did not get the survey report soon.