Bengaluru: Months after Karnataka expedited the controversial Goa–Tamnar interstate power transmission project, the Union ministry of environment, forest and climate change (MoEFCC) flagged major deficiencies in the state’s proposal, potentially delaying crucial forest clearances for the project aimed at strengthening power supply to South Goa. The regional office of MoEFCC in Bengaluru sought additional information and clarifications from the Karnataka forest department.Reviewing the proposal last week, MoEFCC noted that the state did not submit the recommendation of the Project Screening Committee (PSC) as mandated under the Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Rules, 2023. Officials also pointed out the absence of recommendations from the deputy conservator of forests (DCF) and chief conservator of forests (CCF), Belagavi, though a significant stretch of the project passes through the ecologically sensitive Western Ghats under the Belagavi forest circle.As the proposed land (32 hectares) for diversion falls within the Kali Tiger Reserve (KTR), MoEFCC directed the state to secure clearance from the standing committee of the National Board for Wildlife. The Centre also sought details of any pending court cases related to the project. Envisaged in 2015 by the Union Power ministry, the interstate power transmission line aims to ensure reliable electricity supply to Goa, which depends heavily on the western grid. Stretching 77 km from Narendra near Dharwad to Xeldem in South Goa, the transmission line facilitates the exchange of 1,200 MW of renewable energy between Karnataka and Goa.Lack of clarity, confusion over CA landThe ministry further flagged inconsistencies in the compensatory afforestation (CA) land identified by the state. “Even though Karnataka stated 16 hectares of degraded forest land (DFL) at Varav-Nagalavi in Dharwad, the govt submitted a site suitability certificate only for 10 hectares, raising questions over the availability of the remaining 6 hectares,” a MoEFCC official clarified. The project requires 174.652 hectares of forest land in 3 districts of Belagavi, Dharwad and Uttara Kannada. Out of this, nearly 32 hectares is protected forest land within Kali Tiger Reserve.Satellite imagery analysis of 50 hectares of DFL land at Gunjal village in Gokak showed plantation activity already underway, prompting the Centre to seek clarification on whether the land was earmarked under another scheme. “The satellite images also showed agricultural fields on the proposed 100 hectares of CA land at Chandur and Tummaraguddi. The state govt shall clarify whether the identified CA land is under encroachment,” officials stated in their communication, accessed by TOI.Further, contrary to the state’s claim that the identified CA parcels were degraded, GIS analysis revealed dense vegetation. “Out of the 9 patches of degraded land, 7 patches revealed thick vegetation. Hence, the state govt will have to reverify the canopy density and must ensure that all land patches identified for CA should have canopy density less than 0.4. If the value is exceeded, the department must identify alternative lands for CA,” the MoEFCC direction stated.
