Ramesh objects to starting work on Karnataka power project

Union Minister for Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh has written a letter to Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa objecting to the start of work on the 200-megawatt Gundia Hydel Project in the Western Ghats which has not yet received environmental clearance. Under Ramesh,the Ministry is trying to make standards for environmental clearance more public,while objecting to the laying of foundation stones before projects get the nod.

The letter,dated June 20,also indicates that the project will be detrimental to the ecology of the area. “I have received information that the project in Hassan district will submerge almost 1,900 acre of thick forest in the already endangered Western Ghats. This is something we can ill afford,” said the letter.

In a draft proposal the Ministry has suggested changes to clearance systems,which include making public an annual environmental statement,a six-monthly update report,and status of compliance by the project proponent. This is to increase public scrutiny even at the clearance level,till now perceived as easy to get.

Ramesh said he also wanted to see more rejections.