Sharavathi Hydroelectric Project

Why in News?

The Karnataka High Court directed the State government to halt work on the Sharavathi Hydro Electric Project, following concerns raised by environmentalists.

• Launched in – 2017.
• Location – Sharavathi Lion-Tailed Macaque Wildlife Sanctuary,  Shivamogga district of Karnataka.
• Objective – To generate 2,000 MW capacity and to integrate renewable energy sources like solar and wind.
• Implementing Agency – Karnataka Power Corporation Limited (KPCL), to meet peak-hour energy demands, which can touch 18,000 MW daily.
• Type – Pumped Storage Hydropower is a reliable and large-scale energy storage technology that acts as a "water battery."
• Working Mechanism – It uses two water reservoirs at different elevations, pumping water uphill during low-demand periods (surplus energy) and releasing it downhill through turbines to generate electricity during high-demand peaks, with 70–80% round-trip efficiency.

• Environmental Concerns – Initially 16,000 trees, reduced to 7,000–8,000 after the Wildlife Board’s condition.
• Even with reduced tree cutting, the project poses grave risks to biodiversity (lion-tailed macaques & wet evergreen forests), forest integrity, and local safety, making its ecological cost far heavier than its proposed energy gains.

Sharavathi River

• Origin – Ambutirtha, Thirthahalli (Shivamogga district), Western Ghats of Karnataka.
• It is a west-flowing river which drains into the Arabian Sea at Honnavar (Uttara Kannada) and flows for about 130 km through the Western Ghats.
• Dams & Waterfalls – Linganamakki Dam, Gersoppa Dam, Hirebhaskara (old-submerged) & Jog Falls (plunge waterfall), one of India’s highest waterfalls.
• The river is already the State’s primary hydel power source, with four major power stations operating in its valley.

Quick Fact

References

1. The Hindu | Sharavathi Hydroelectric Project
2. The Hindu | Sharavathi lion-tailed macaque Sanctuary