Nod for 400 KV high tension transmission line in Kodagu: Col Muthanna to approach High Court
Col C. P. Muthanna (Retd), President of the Coorg Wildlife Society (CWS), has decided to approach the Karnataka High Court, demanding the stopping of work on the erection of 400 KV high-tension transmission line across Kodagu through private plantations to supply power to Kerala from Koodanakulam nuclear power plant.
Speaking to this reporter, Col Muthanna (in picture) recalled that the recent High Court judgement had directed the Karnataka government to review the work being carried out in elephant corridors by carrying out an impact assessment.
The President of the CWS pointed out that even before the impact report was prepared, the Power Grid Corporation of India authorities had started cutting down trees to erect the transmission towers. The high-tension line would pass through Maldare, Thithimathi, Kanoor, Nalkeri, and Kutta. The work on cutting the trees has been going on since Saturday amid heavy police protection.
Col C. P. Muthanna noted that the present route of the transmission line would have serious negative effect on Kodagu. The proposed route of the transmission line is part of an elephant corridor. Any interference in these corridors would hamper the natural movement of elephant herds and would result in increased man-elephant conflict.
He pointed out that the solution was to route the transmission line through the Nagarhole National Park and could follow the alignment of existing fire-lanes or vehicle lanes, so as to minimize loss of tree cover. “”It may also be constructed along the existing 11 KV power-line that enters Nagarahole Nation Park at Honmare Katte in HD Kote, runs up to DB Kuppe and enters Kerala near Bavli Road””, Col Muthanna noted.
The shortest distance from Mysore to Khozikode would be through the Rajiv Gandhi National Park (Nagarahole).
The Power Grid Corporation of India has completed the laying of wires from Mysore to Lingapur (Mysore-Kodagu border) on the one side, and from Kozhikode to Manandavadi (Kerala-Kodagu border) on another side. As the work faced severe opposition from environmentalists in Kodagu, the work was halted for some time.
