The Hindu : Kerala News : Divergent views on Pathrakadavu project

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Jul 19, 2004

Kerala

Kerala

Divergent views on Pathrakadavu project

By Our Staff Reporter

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, JULY 18. Speakers at an open forum on the Pathrakadavu hydel project, organised by the N.E. Balram Institute of Social Sciences here on Friday, expressed divergent views on the environmental and social impact of the project.

The former president of the Kerala Sastra Sahithya Parishad, R.V.G. Menon, warned that the Pathrakadavu project would disturb the natural habitat and endanger the biosphere, which extends beyond the administrative boundaries of the Silent Valley project.

The KSEB Employees Confederation leader, M.S. Rawther, said the sustained opposition to hydel projects by the environmental lobby was part of a larger "game-plan" aimed at forcing the State into total dependence on thermal energy. According to him, the Pathrakadavu project would have very little impact on the environment as it would require only four hectares of forestland.

Dr. Menon said the project would open up a backdoor to the national park, which has largely remained unspoilt because of the difficulty of access. The dependence on hydel projects for low cost generation would push the KSEB into heavy loss and lead to its privatisation.

Dr. Menon said the proposed engineering restrictions would push up the estimated costs, leading to a loss for the KSEB. Citing the environmental impact assessment report on the project, he said the power generation from the dam would fall short of the projected rate, if the water flow in the river were to be maintained.

Report warns against laying road: Page 5

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Kerala