A political and environmental face-off has erupted in the Malnad region over the week-long Karnataka tour of Sunil Limaye, a member of the Supreme Court-constituted Central Empowered Committee (CEC). The CEC is reviewing critical regional environmental disputes, wildlife management policies, and infrastructure clearances across multiple sensitive ecological sites in the state. However, the visit has been opposed by a group claiming there was no prior notice and suspecting the tour was quietly orchestrated at the behest of the state government despite 75,000 public objections filed against a project.
Conflict Over Sharavati Project Inspection
The conflict centres on Limaye's scheduled June 2 arrival in Shivamogga for an on-site inspection of the controversial 2,000 MW Sharavati Pumped Storage Project alongside officials from the forest department and Karnataka Power Corporation (KPC).
Political Opposition Led by Eshwarappa
Leading the 'Rashtrabhakthara Balaga', former deputy chief minister KS Eshwarappa slammed the CEC's move as an underhanded action that bypasses judicial authority. Eshwarappa argued that because the Karnataka High Court has already issued a stay order on the project following a critical report by the Wildlife Board regarding the Singalika (lion-tailed macaque) Wildlife Sanctuary, the CEC's unannounced site visit is highly questionable and potentially violates ongoing judicial proceedings.
The controversy highlights the tension between environmental conservation and energy development in the ecologically sensitive Malnad region. The Sharavati project has been a subject of intense debate, with environmentalists and local communities raising concerns about its impact on wildlife and forests. The CEC's visit aims to assess the situation firsthand, but the lack of transparency and alleged coordination with the state government have fueled political backlash.
Eshwarappa and his supporters have demanded that the CEC postpone the visit until the legal status of the project is clarified. They have also called for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the tour's planning. Meanwhile, the state government has maintained that the CEC's visit is routine and necessary for evaluating environmental compliance.
The outcome of this face-off could have significant implications for the Sharavati project and other similar developments in the region. As the CEC continues its review, all eyes are on the legal and political maneuvers that will shape the future of Karnataka's energy landscape and environmental conservation efforts.
