The project entails a diversion of 174.652 hectares of pristine forest land for the 400 kV Goa-Tamnar transmission line, which is to be routed through sensitive areas of the Western Ghats.
| Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
In a major U-turn which might have a negative impact on the Western Ghats, the Karnataka government appears to have reversed its earlier stand against the Goa-Tamnar power transmission project.
Even as activists grapple with the government’s change in stance, there are speculations that this is linked to a broader political negotiation and a possible quid pro quo for Goa clearing the Mahadayi project, though this has not been officially confirmed yet.
Just over a year ago, in March 2024, the Minister for Forest, Ecology and Environment Eshwar Khandre had not only rejected the proposal to divert forest land in favour of power lines, but also directed that the officials who had approved the same be questioned and notices be issued for their stance.
But in a communique issued on March 25, 2025, Brijesh Kumar, PCCF (Forest Conservation) wrote to the Additional Chief Secretary to the government of Karnataka, that the user agency of the power project may be requested/directed to seek alternative alignment and utilise modern technology to reduce the number of trees rquired to be felled.
Consequently, in a communique dated June 12, 2025, the Chief Conservator of Forests, Belagavi/Dharwad/Kanara Circles, have been directed to obtain a revised proposal as directed by the State government through the jurisdictional Deputy Conservator of forests, and the user agency, ‘’for further processing’’. The copy of the communique has also been issued to the Manager, M/S/Goa-Tamnar Transmission Project Ltd.
This flip-flop by the State government on an environmental issue with serious consequences for the sensitive Western Ghats ecosystem, has riled up activists.
Wildlife conservationist Giridhar Kulkarni said that there was no scope to make significant changes or realignment of the transmission line given the nature of the landscape and the terrain. He pointed out that last year, the Additional Chief Secretary had instructed the PCCF (Head of Forest Force) to take action to reject the proposal as per the directions of the Forest Minister.
‘‘Now, the State government has instructed the Forest Department to inform the user agency to submit a revised proposal based on the same letter written by PCCF. It is not known why the government changed its own decision’,‘ said Mr. Kulkarni.
The transmission line project proposes to connect the existing power grid in Narendra in Dharwad district to Xeldem in Goa. The original length of the transmission line is 94 kms, out of which, a 72 km-stretch passes through forests in the State, including 6.6 kms through the Anshi-Dandeli Tiger Reserve.
The project entails a diversion of 174.652 hectares or 435.58 acres of pristine forest land for the 400 kV Goa-Tamnar transmission line, which is to be routed through sensitive areas of the Western Ghats, including the Anshi-Dandeli Tiger Reserve. An estimated 35% of the approximate 73,000 trees in the proposed site will be lost if the project comes to fruition, thereby adversely affecting the biodiversity.
“Not only is there no scope for realignment of the transmission line, but the original objections based on which the project proposal was rejected, is still valid. Hence, the government’s U-turn is inexplicable,” Mr. Kulkarni said.
Published – June 25, 2025 09:46 pm IST
