What Happened
- The Karnataka High Court issued notices to the Government of India and the Government of Karnataka on a PIL challenging approvals granted for the Rs 10,000 crore Sharavathi Pumped Storage Hydroelectric Project (PSHP)
- The petition challenges the legality of approvals granted by the Karnataka State Board for Wildlife (January 2025) and the in-principle clearance by the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) (July 2025)
- The project is proposed on the Sharavathi River in Shivamogga and Uttara Kannada districts of Karnataka, within ecologically sensitive Western Ghats forest areas
- The HC subsequently directed the State government to stop work in forest areas for the project until further orders
- The NBWL had imposed 28 conditions for the project including restricted construction timings, canopy bridges for macaques, and a ban on labour camps within forest areas
Static Topic Bridges
National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) — Composition and Powers
The NBWL is the highest advisory body on wildlife conservation in India, constituted under Section 5A of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. It is a 47-member body chaired by the Prime Minister, with the Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change as Vice-Chairperson. Members include Union Ministers, Chief Ministers of all states/UTs, three Members of Parliament (2 Lok Sabha, 1 Rajya Sabha), five NGO representatives, and ten eminent ecologists/conservationists. The NBWL's Standing Committee (chaired by the MoEFCC Minister, up to 10 members) handles routine project clearances. No alteration of boundaries of protected areas or diversion of forest land within them is permissible without NBWL recommendation.
- Constituted under: Section 5A, Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972
- Chairperson: Prime Minister of India
- Vice-Chairperson: Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
- Total members: 47 (government officials, CMs, MPs, NGOs, ecologists)
- Standing Committee: handles project clearances — chaired by MoEFCC Minister, up to 10 nominated members
- Key power: mandatory clearance for development projects within protected areas, tiger reserves, and wildlife habitats
Connection to this news: The PIL specifically challenges the NBWL's in-principle clearance for the Sharavathi project, questioning whether the 28 conditions imposed are sufficient to protect the ecologically sensitive Western Ghats habitat. The case tests the limits of NBWL's conditional clearance mechanism.
Pumped Storage Hydroelectricity — Technology and Role in Grid Storage
Pumped storage hydroelectric (PSH) plants are the largest form of grid-scale energy storage globally, operating on a simple principle: water is pumped from a lower reservoir to an upper reservoir during low-demand periods (using surplus electricity) and released through turbines to generate electricity during peak demand. PSH systems achieve 75-80% round-trip efficiency and can operate in two configurations — open-loop (connected to a natural water source) and closed-loop (off-river, no significant natural inflow). India currently has about 2,600 MW of installed PSH capacity across Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and West Bengal, with a total assessed potential of approximately 176 GW.
- Operating principle: pump water uphill (store energy) → release downhill through turbines (generate electricity)
- Round-trip efficiency: 75-80%
- Types: open-loop (river-connected) and closed-loop (off-river)
- India's installed PSH capacity: ~2,600 MW
- India's total PSH potential: ~176 GW
- Asia's first PSH plant: Tata Power's 150 MW Bhira plant, Maharashtra (1995)
- Grid services: peak shaving, load following, frequency regulation, renewable energy smoothing
Connection to this news: The Sharavathi project (2,000 MW, 8 x 250 MW Francis turbines) would be one of India's largest PSH projects. It uses existing infrastructure — the Talakalale upper dam (62.48 m) and Gerusoppa lower dam (64 m) connected by 14 km of underground tunnels. PSH is critical for India's renewable energy target (500 GW by 2030) as it provides storage to balance intermittent solar and wind generation.
Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 — Protected Areas and Development Projects
The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 is the primary legislation governing wildlife conservation in India. It establishes a hierarchy of protected areas: National Parks (strictest — no human activity, Section 35), Wildlife Sanctuaries (limited human activity permitted, Section 26A), and Tiger Reserves (core + buffer zones, Section 38V). The Act was significantly amended in 2006 (inserting provisions for NTCA and tiger conservation) and in 2022 (strengthening penalties, regulating invasive species, and rationalising the NBWL's Standing Committee powers). Section 29 prohibits destruction or damage to wildlife in sanctuaries, and any diversion of forest land in protected areas requires both NBWL clearance and compliance with the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980.
- Wildlife (Protection) Act: enacted 1972, major amendments in 2002, 2006, 2022
- Protected area hierarchy: National Parks (Section 35) > Tiger Reserves (Section 38V) > Wildlife Sanctuaries (Section 26A)
- NTCA (National Tiger Conservation Authority): constituted under Section 38L (2006 amendment)
- Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980: separate clearance required for diversion of forest land
- EIA Notification, 2006: Category A projects (including large hydroelectric) require EAC clearance + public hearing
- Penalties (2022 amendment): up to Rs 25 lakh fine and up to 7 years imprisonment for certain offences
Connection to this news: The Sharavathi project falls within Western Ghats forest areas, requiring clearances under both the Wildlife (Protection) Act (NBWL) and the Forest (Conservation) Act. The HC challenge tests whether conditional clearance by wildlife boards adequately balances development imperatives with ecological conservation in biodiversity hotspots.
Key Facts & Data
- Sharavathi PSHP: 2,000 MW capacity (8 x 250 MW Francis turbines)
- Estimated cost: Rs 10,000 crore
- Design energy: 4,380 GWh
- Infrastructure: 14 km underground tunnels connecting Talakalale upper dam and Gerusoppa lower dam
- Location: Shivamogga and Uttara Kannada districts, Karnataka
- NBWL conditions imposed: 28 (including canopy bridges for macaques, restricted construction timings)
- India's total PSH potential: ~176 GW; installed: ~2,600 MW
- NBWL: 47-member body chaired by PM, constituted under Section 5A of WPA 1972