Silahalla Power Project
Kartavya Desk Staff
Source: NIE
Context: The Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) recently cancelled the public hearing for the Silahalla Power Project in the Nilgiris due to public opposition and environmental concerns.
About Silahalla Power Project:
• What it is: A pumped storage hydroelectric project by Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation Limited (TANGEDCO) to generate electricity by transferring water between two reservoirs.
• Location: Kundah Taluk, Nilgiris district, Tamil Nadu.
• Aim: To address peak power demand by generating 1,000 MW electricity.
• Rivers Associated: Silahalla stream, a tributary of the Kundah River, which feeds the Bhavani River (which is Cauvery River tributary)
• Project Features: Construction of two dams (upper and lower reservoirs). Tunnels of 2.8 km (head race) and 1.56 km (tail race). Underground powerhouse and surface storage points.
• Construction of two dams (upper and lower reservoirs).
• Tunnels of 2.8 km (head race) and 1.56 km (tail race).
• Underground powerhouse and surface storage points.
About Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve:
• Location: Situated in the Nilgiri Hills of the Western Ghats.
• State involved: Spans across Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka.
• Major Protected Areas within the Reserve: Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary (TN), Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary (Kerala), Bandipur National Park (Karnataka), Nagarhole National Park (Karnataka), Mukurthi National Park (TN), and Silent Valley National Park (Kerala).
• Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary (TN), Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary (Kerala), Bandipur National Park (Karnataka), Nagarhole National Park (Karnataka), Mukurthi National Park (TN), and Silent Valley National Park (Kerala).
• Flora:
• 132 endemic species, including rare plants like Adenoon, Calacanthus, and Frerea. Diverse ecosystems: tropical evergreen, montane sholas, grasslands, moist deciduous forests, and thorn forests.
• 132 endemic species, including rare plants like Adenoon, Calacanthus, and Frerea.
• Diverse ecosystems: tropical evergreen, montane sholas, grasslands, moist deciduous forests, and thorn forests.
• Fauna:
• Largest known population of endangered Nilgiri Tahr and Lion-tailed macaque. Significant populations of elephants, tigers, gaurs, sambars, and chitals.
• Largest known population of endangered Nilgiri Tahr and Lion-tailed macaque.
• Significant populations of elephants, tigers, gaurs, sambars, and chitals.
• UNESCO Recognition: First UNESCO-designated Biosphere Reserve in India (1986) under the Man and Biosphere Programme.
• Tribal Communities: Indigenous groups include Todas, Kotas, Irulas, Kurumbas, Paniyas, and Adiyans, who depend on the forest ecosystems for their livelihoods.