SHARAVATHI PUMPED STORAGE PROJECT CLEARED WITH CONDITIONS

DESPITE stiff opposition from experts, conservationists, serving and retired forest department officials, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday approved an energy department's proposal to undertake the Sharavathi Pumped Storage Project in the Jog Reserved Forest in the Lion-Tailed Macaque (LTM) Wildlife Sanctuary.

- BOSKY KHANNA

Speaking on the sidelines of the 19th State Wildlife Board Meeting held in the city, Forest, Environment and Ecology Minister Eshwar B Khandre, who is also the board member, told The New Indian Express that the project has been approved with certain conditions. After meeting the conditions, the proposal has to be sent to the National Board for Wildlife for approval. It is only after its clearance, can the work to generate 2,000 MW of power be taken up, he said.