MANGALORE: An expert committee led by renowned environmentalist Madhav Gadgil
would shortly be touring the Western Ghat areas in order to study the likely impact of the
several electricity generation and tourism related projects that are proposed to be set up
in the region. The constitution of the committee gains significance in view of the several
complaints made by environmentalists that the proposed projects would destroy the rich
bio-diversity of the Western Ghats resulting in a major ecological imbalance.
The Committee members would be visiting several districts of the Coastal and Malnad
region during the course of their study.
It may be recalled here that as many as 25 mini hydel power projects are on the cards
in the Western Ghat areas in DK , Hassan and Chikmagalur districts, much against the
wishes of the environmentalists.
The study which the committee is to undertake is all likely to decide on the fate of all
these projects.
Environmentalists say already seven of the mini hydel projects have commenced
operations. At a meeting of the committee that was held at Coimbatore recently, it was
decided that the committee members should hold public meetings in the areas likely to be
affected, and elicit public opinion.
Apart from the mini hydel projects, the Committee is also likely to study the impact of
the proposed Netravati river diversion project, mining, tourism and railway projects in the
region.
Environmentalists are happy that the Union Environment Ministry has finally risen to
the occasion and has taken some concrete steps to study the impact of such proposed
projects.
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