Opposition against Silahalla hydroelectric project mounts in the Nilgiris

The Nilgiris Nelikolu Micro and Small Tea Growers and Farmers’ Development Society (NSTF) has written to the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) expressing their opposition to the Silahalla Pumped Storage Hydroelectric Project.

In their letter, the association has questioned the competency and legitimacy of the TNPCB in conducting a public consultation. They said that hydroelectric projects of more than 50 megawatts of production capacity can only be accorded clearances by the Union Ministry. “TNPCB has no authority to conduct the proposed public consultation,” they said in the letter.

The farmers’ society also stated that the project was in violation of Rule 5 of the Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986, which prohibits the construction of large projects in locations which have fragile topographical and climate features, rich biological diversity and areas which are in close proximity to wildlife sanctuaries. It may be noted that the proposed project site is in close proximity to the Mukurthi National Park, a biodiversity hotspot.

Hubbathalai N. Sivan, founder president of the NSTF said the farmers also wanted to bring to the notice of the TNPCB of the rampant water pollution along the M.Palada river belt caused by the operation of carrot cultivation.

The Silahallah Dam Project proposed in M Palada river belt, covering the Nanjanad agricultural cluster, with around 5,000 acres covering Nanjanad, Kuruthukuli, Kowhatti, Ithalar, Appukodu, Kallakorai, Balacola, Meekeri, Kanneri Manthanai, Thangadu, Yedakkadu, Attuboil, and 14 villages in Ketti covering around 2,000 acres, are highly polluted due to carrot cultivation by using exorbitant amounts of chemicals, insecticides and fungicides, which is not only affecting the fragile Nilgiris ecosystem, but also, the neighbouring districts of Coimbatore, Tirupur, Erode and Salem, when the polluted water from the above mentioned places mixes with the Bhavani River in Mettupalayam and then subsequently, the Cauvery River at Bhavani in Erode district.

The farmers’ association has called on the Nilgiris district administration to intervene in stopping the implementation of the project and also take steps to prevent the pollution of the district’s water bodies through highly destructive agricultural practices.