Sharp divisions have appeared in Kerala’s two main parties, the CPI(M) and Congress, ruling lDF and Opposition UDF coalitions over the proposed 163MW hydro-electric power project on the State’s most beautiful waterfalls, Athirappally in Thrissur district. The hydel project, proposed to be built at one of the most sensitive biodiversity spots of the Western Ghats, has remained a subject of political row for the past three decades.
While a major section in the CPI(M) wants the project to be implemented as early as possible, several of its own top leaders and its coalition partner CPI are determined not to allow it. Former chief minister Oommen Chandy favours the project but most top leaders of his own Congress party and its coalition partners are opposing the proposal.
Athirappally has been a centre of anti-project agitations ever since the formal proposal for the project mooted in 1979 was made in 1982. Almost all environmental activists and forums in Kerala are opposing the project because of the ecological importance of the forest area known for its rich biodiversity which had started to dwindle since long back for several reasons.
The proposed project is to include a 23-metre high, 311-metre long gravity dam to be built on the Chalakudy River some 6.7 kilometers upstream from the Athirappally Falls, one of Kerala’s hottest tourist spots surrounded by pristine forest land that is home to several endangered flora and fauna. The place is also home to many Adivasis.
The current row was triggered by CPI(M)’s Power Minister MM Mani with a statement in the Assembly on Wednesday that the Government had initiated work on the project. This was based on the installation by the Kerala State Electricity Board of a transformer and some other implements at the project site.
Kanam Rajendran, State secretary of the CPI, which has been opposing the project, was quick to reject the Minister’s claim by saying that installation of a transformer and some electric lines did not mean the start of work. “The project cannot be implemented. We have been hearing about the initiation of work since 1980. Has anything happened so farIJ” he asked.
Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala, who had carried out an on-the-spot study in Athirappally, said there was no question of allowing the implementation of the project. Senior Congress leader TN Prathapan said, “Mani had said the project would be built on the basis of a consensus. The Congress and the UDF are not even ready for consensus talks on the matter.”
Mani and the pro-project CPI(M) found some relief when Oommen Chandy, contrary to his party’s stand, said, “It would be good if a path is cleared for its implementation through consensus.” However, Chennithala and State Congress president MM Hassan were quick to shoot down Chandy’s suggestion by saying that the UDF was against the project.
Completing the isolation of Chandy over the subject, second biggest UDF constituent Muslim league made it clear on Sunday that there was no question of allowing the implementation of the Athirappally project. “The lDF Government’s move is a betrayal. It is not serious about the project’s environmental impact,” said Muslim league general secretary KPA Majeed.
According to observers, the KSEB, which persists in its argument that the Athirappally project is inevitable for the power-thirsty State, had installed the transformer and other implements at the project site hastily in order to create an impression that work had started well before the expiry on August 18 of the clearance given by the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MOEF).
A spokesperson of the Chalakudy River Protection Forum, which is fighting against the project in the court and outside, said, “The KSEB is hoodwinking both the MOEF and the people. Its attempt is to establish that work on the project had started before the expiry of the MOEF clearance. The fact is that the project currently has no clearance.”
The dam to be built as part of the hydel project is feared to lead to diversion of several hectares of forest land which is the habitat of several endangered species. An elephant corridor also will be submerged. Also, it could directly hit at least 500,000 people who depend on the Chalakudy River for drinking water and irrigation apart from the Adivasis in the project area.
The forum also points out that the power to be generated from the project would not justify its environmental and other costs. “The installed capacity of the project could be 163 MW but the maximum it would generate is 27 MW. This could go down further in the summer season,” said the forum spokesperson.