Karnataka seeks new Goa-Tamnar route through Western Ghats Forest
The Karnataka government has reversed its earlier stand on the Goa-Tamnar power project, now seeking a revised proposal that involves clearing forest land in the Western Ghats. The move has triggered strong criticism from environmentalists who fear that this decision will damage biodiversity. The project proposes a 400kV transmission line through ecologically sensitive regions, including protected reserves, raising significant conservation concerns.
Previously rejected on environmental grounds, the Goa-Tamnar power line involves diverting over 174 hectares of pristine forest. This includes a 72-kilometre stretch in Karnataka, with 6.6 kilometres running through the Anshi-Dandeli Tiger Reserve. Despite earlier instructions to halt the project, the Karnataka Forest Department has now been asked to collect revised alignment proposals. Officials say the revised plans should explore using advanced technologies to reduce deforestation and ecological disruption.
Environmental experts argue that realigning the transmission route is not practical due to the terrain. Conservationists believe that the earlier objections—based on ecological and legal grounds—remain valid. Concerns persist that the current move could result from political deals, especially after Goa’s recent cooperation on the Mahadayi project. Critics point out that such backdoor alignments come at the cost of the Western Ghats’ fragile ecosystems and forest biodiversity.
The project plans to connect power lines between Narendra in Dharwad and Xeldem in Goa. If executed, an estimated 73,000 trees may be impacted, with 35% of them facing felling. Conservationists emphasise that the Western Ghats are a UNESCO biodiversity hotspot, and large-scale infrastructure must not compromise forest health. The forest stretch includes critical wildlife habitats and serves as a corridor for endangered species, raising red flags for any deforestation activity.
Officials insist the new proposal should include measures to reduce environmental impact, such as fewer tree cuts and updated technology. However, stakeholders argue that the government has failed to clarify why it abandoned its earlier decision. The original rejection was hailed as a model for prioritising sustainability. Its reversal has disheartened environmental groups and local communities, who fear long-term damage to forest systems and the weakening of conservation principles.
The Karnataka government’s shift on the Goa-Tamnar power line project has reignited debate over development versus ecology in India’s forest regions. With activists warning of irreversible biodiversity loss and pointing to previous environmental rejections, the project’s future remains controversial. As revised proposals are sought, the decision underscores the critical need for transparent governance and long-term ecological thinking in infrastructure planning.
