JSW seeks opinion of National Board of Wildlife to expand power plant

 Shivakumar G Malagi

May 15: In one another serious threat to endangered species at Daroji Bear Sanctuary in this iron ore rich district from ever growing industrial plants surrounding the sanctuary; the country’s largest steel manufacturer- JSW Steel’s subsidiary JSW Energy Limited has sought to expand its power plant capacity from 860 MW to 1520 MW within 10-km radius of the bear sanctuary.

JSW Energy Ltd executive director R R Pillai submitted a proposal to the officer in charge of the Daroji Bear Sanctuary on December 19 last year seeking to process its application to Standing Committee of National Board of Wildlife chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in order obtain Environmental Clearance for expansion project. The guidelines of Ministry of Environment and Forests issued on 19^th August 2010 stipulates that projects coming within 10 km from the boundary of national park/sanctuary has to obtain recommendations of the Standing Committee of National Board.

Seeking a positive report for expansion project; JSW Energy Ltd said in application that existing power plant boundary is within 10 km from the Daroji bear sanctuary, however, expansion is being done within the existing plant premises, no additional land is required and no divination of Law area belonging to bear sanctuary is proposed.

Besides, the company asserted that expansion will not hamper the migration route of the sloth bear in the sanctuary and has no effect on the habitat of the wildlife, besides there will be insignificant effect of air and noise pollution from the power plant operations.

When contacted, Assistant Conservator of Forests, (Wildlife), Daroji sanctuary M N Kiran told Deccan Chronicle that company’s application will be processed this week furnishing specific opinions on relevant issues involved in this matter.

Once this application is processed; sources said that an expert team headed by Mr Anil Kumble, vice-chairman of Karnataka State Wildlife Board is likely to conduct spot inspect before forwarding a report to the Chief Minister who is also the chairman of the State Wildlife Board. “Chief Minister’s decision is crucial in deciding the fate of this project”, said a source.     

Sources said that expansion of power Plant is very vital for steel giant JSW Steels to meet its home-grown electricity demand in concurrence to its steel production expansion plan from 10 million metric tone per year to 16 million metric tone by 2013.

In reality, this is the second power plant project seeking Environmental Clearance for expansion project within 10-km surrounding of the sanctuary. Expansion plans of Bellary Thermal Power Station operated by the Karnataka Power Corporation Limited in Kudathini village of district has evoked conflict last year with environmentalists demanding Union government for withdrawal of Environment Clearance for the unit – 3 which, they claimed obtained on false and fabricated data.

BTPS is currently operating with a total capacity of 1000 MW with two units, each having capacity of producing 500 MW. Subsequently, KPCL is now planning expansion of an additional unit-3 in BTPS with a capacity of 600 MW.

Undeterred industrial growth surrounding the sanctuary has worried nature lovers in district as this sanctuary is home to more than 120 Sloth Bears, healthy population of Leopards, Hyenas, Jackals, Foxes, Wild Boars, Porcupines, Pangolins, Star Tortoises, Monitor Lizards, Mongooses, Pea Fowls, Partridges, Painted Spur fowls, Quails etc. About 200 species of birds and 50 species of butterflies have also been identified and documented in this sanctuary in a preliminary survey. It is also home to the critically endangered Yellow Throated Bulbul. Efforts are on to rediscover and document the Jerdon’s Courser and Rusty spotted cat which is presumed to be existing in and around this sanctuary.