The Aryavarth Express
Agency(Karnataka): The Karnataka government has once again stood firm in its decision against the Goa-Tamnar 400 KV quad transmission line project, aimed at enhancing the nation’s power grid by linking Tamnar, Chhattisgarh, with Xeldem, Goa. This decision marks the second rejection of the project proposal, primarily due to the significant environmental concerns associated with its planned route through the ecologically sensitive Western Ghats region.
Officials were directed to consider alternative paths for the transmission line that would avoid encroaching on protected areas. The project, initially designed to traverse 75 kilometers through Karnataka, including a significant portion through territorial forests and the Kali Tiger Reserve, has faced strong opposition due to its potential environmental impacts.
In a decisive move, the Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) to the Forest, Ecology, and Environment Department has issued a mandate not only to dismiss the proposed project but also to scrutinize and potentially halt future developments that might negatively affect the region’s ecology and wildlife. This directive followed a thorough review process, which culminated in a directive for the Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (PCCF) to formally reject the project and issue notices to the officials who had initially recommended its approval.
Despite modifications to the project’s alignment in response to the initial rejection, which aimed to reduce the environmental footprint by rerouting along an existing transmission line, the proposal was met with resistance. The revised plan, which still required the removal of nearly 25,000 trees, did not alleviate concerns regarding the project’s environmental impact, leading to its second rejection.
The debate over the project’s feasibility has highlighted the tensions between infrastructure development and environmental conservation. While two chief conservators of forests recommended the modified proposal citing reduced tree loss, the project’s potential to disrupt critical wildlife habitats, including those of tigers, leopards, and several endemic species, prompted a reconsideration.
Environmentalists and conservationists have underscored the broader implications of such projects, arguing that they contribute to forest fragmentation, loss of biodiversity, and increased human-wildlife conflicts. In light of these concerns, the state’s rejection of the Goa-Tamnar project underscores a commitment to preserving Karnataka’s natural heritage and underscores the need for infrastructure projects to carefully consider environmental impacts.
