It is good news for all the environmentalists and nature lovers of Kodagu, for the construction of Barapolay Hydro Electric Project proposed to be established across Barapolay at Palathinkadavu has been stayed by the Supreme Court of India.
According to sources from administration in Kerala state, the state government of Kerala has instructed the Kerala State Electricity Board – the promoters and establishers of the hydro power station, to stop all work from immediate effect, till further instructions from the govt. This was being done after the Chief Secretary of Kerala state received a stay order from the Central Empowered Committee of the Supreme Court of India, on construction of hydro power station across Barapolay.
It is to be recalled that Coorg Wildlife Society has filed a public interest litigation to the Central Empowered Committee during June 2005, seeking stay on the proposed construction of the hydro electric power plant across Barapolay river – a place falling under the Bramhagiri Wildlife Sanctuary. The members of the Central Empowered Committee based on their findings during investigation on the issue, made recommendations to the Supreme Court through their final report. Based on the report the Supreme Court of India has issued a stay on the start of construction work.
The copy of the order has been forwarded to Coorg wildlife Society.
“It is a great achievement,” said Col. C P Muthanna – president of CWS and K G Uthappa – the advocate who worked on the petition. They said justice will be prevailed over those issues that affects the environment of the district.
In Kerala, the KSEB had completed the tender procedures for the work and were to just spell out the conditions and execute work soon. It was at the final stage of execution, when the Supreme Court stay has brought it to a halt. A divisional office of KSEB was also established at the spot somewhere last year.
It is also to be informed that the spot – Palathinkadavu is just about 45 to 50 meters from Kodagu-Kerala border and the proposed dam could have caused serious damages to the Kodagu part of the forest more than that in Kerala side since Barapolay flows into Kerala state
Excellant work. It is for all educated youngsters to follow that we need to care for
our environment. Hope all the people support them , as the trees & the forests cant speak.
I Hope the CWS wins this.
A great relief. W e are out of danger. We appreciate the effort of CWS and wish them success in their work.
I think CWS and other environmentalists can hardly rejoice,now that Power Grid Corp has started meddling with the jungles.
Good News. Hope CWS is always ahead in protecting the mother nature in coorg.