Daijiworld Media Network – Sullia (SP)

Sullia, Jul 16: The disputed Gundia hydro electricity project taken by the state government, about which union minister for environment, Jairam Ramesh, had expressed his reservations has been cleared by the committee of experts under the ministry of environment in the union government.

Environmentalists, who are worried about the damage the Western Ghats have been suffering because of such projects, and also the people from the area, whose lands will go under water because of the project, are gearing up to fight against it.  They have time to do so, as the report of the committee will have to pass through the hurdle of getting cleared by the secretariat of the central ministry of environment, before getting final nod from the ministry.

The committee gave its clearance, after the state agreed to drop the proposal to set up Hongadahalla reservoir, which would have inundated large forest areas under it. Another committee of environmentalists headed by noted scientist, Madhava Gadgil, had also scrutinized the project. The committee said that it has sent its recommendations after thoroughly checking all the facts.

After the above revision, the extent of land proposed to be inundated by the project has shrunk from 1041 hectares to 478 hectares. This includes 293 hectares of revenue land and 72 acres of private land. The committee however, has given its clearance, subject to meeting a few conditions. It has recommended to the union ministry to clear the project only after the state complies with them.