The proposed Upper Bhavani pumped storage hydro-electric project poses a significant threat not only to the diverse wildlife of the Nilgiris but also to the sacred ancestral lands of the indigenous Toda community, warns a respected ecologist.
Dr. Tarun Chhabra, an ecologist and renowned expert in Toda culture, highlights that the project’s blasting operations are planned dangerously close to the Devar Betta Hill. Known as the Kawnttaihh deity hill in Toda tradition, he describes it as “the most pyramidical of all Nilgiri hills and the veritable Mount Meru of our area.”
A Profound Disrespect
“Blasting near such a sacred site would be a profound disrespect, an act for which future generations will undoubtedly bear the cost,” Dr. Chhabra asserts. He also notes that Kolimund (Kwehh(r)shy), a seasonal Toda hamlet recently reoccupied after nearly two decades, lies alarmingly close to the proposed upper storage area.
Existing reservoirs have already devastated the rich biodiversity of these former wetlands. Now, the project threatens the stability of the surrounding untouched hillsides with massive water storage. Dr. Chhabra warns that underground blasting could severely destabilize these hills, especially during periods of extreme rainfall.
Further downstream, the project’s ripple effects are expected to impact Badaga villages, such as Attuboil, which have already suffered consequences from the Emerald Dam. The underground water conductor system traverses sensitive terrain, including exposed stretches that are home to unique and irreplaceable endemic plant species. These include several rare balsams like Impatiens laticornis, Impatiens lawsonii, Impatiens orchioides, and Impatiens nilagirica, which are found only in specific localized valleys in this region.
“There is simply no way to genuinely restore the land once it’s destroyed,” he emphasizes. Dr. Chhabra dismisses the idea of compensatory afforestation, stating that the Nilgiris’ pristine grasslands don’t need it, and millions-year-old Shola forests are utterly irreplaceable.
A Crucial Habitat
Echoing these concerns, Nilgiris-based conservationist N. Mohanraj points out that the project site directly overlaps with the buffer zone of Mukurthi National Park. This park is currently under consideration for designation as a tiger reserve due to its significant carnivore population. “The National Tiger Conservation Authority itself recognizes this region as a critical corridor connecting Mudumalai with Silent Valley National Park, also serving as a vital migratory route for elephants,” Mohanraj states.
Mohanraj attributes the drastic decline in Nilgiris Tahr populations to a combination of power projects and poaching. He notes that Tahr populations from Mukurthi have begun naturally expanding into nearby areas like Avalanche, Frog Hill, and Naduvattam, with potential re-colonization of Glenmorgan. However, for this natural recovery to continue, these areas must remain undisturbed, and large-scale infrastructure projects must be actively opposed and halted.
Official Stance: Benefits Outweigh Concerns
In response, Aneesh Sekhar, Managing Director of Tamil Nadu Green Energy Corporation, clarifies that the project has received approval for its environmental clearance terms of reference from regulatory authorities. He states that studies are currently underway, and any measures recommended to mitigate environmental impact will be implemented.