Even as the State Forest Department tirelessly works to safeguard and conserve the Nilgiri Tahr, our beloved state animal, a proposed hydroelectric project looms large, threatening to carve its way through the very core of the Tahr’s natural habitat in the pristine upper Nilgiris.
This ambitious ₹5,000 crore project, a collaboration between NTECL (a joint venture of Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation Limited (TNPDCL) and National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC)), aims to inject an additional 1,000 MW into the state’s power grid. Officials from TNPDCL explain that the decade-long planned initiative involves pumping water between the existing Upper Bhavani and Avalanche reservoirs via extensive underground tunnels, designed to generate electricity during periods of high demand.
According to the pre-feasibility study released by NTPC Tamil Nadu Energy Company Limited, the project demands the drilling of massive underground tunnels – a headrace tunnel stretching over five kilometers and a tailrace tunnel exceeding 1.5 kilometers. These subterranean pathways will be carved into the hills of Avalanche, part of the Nilgiris forest division, reaching perilously close to the boundaries of the Mukurthi National Park.
S. Gowtham, Divisional Forest Officer for the Nilgiris division, confirmed, “Currently, NTPC and TNPDCL have received authorization to perform drilling at select locations. This is to assess the soil and rock’s suitability for such a large-scale undertaking.”
When questioned about the ecological significance of this region, Mr. Gowtham highlighted that the areas around Mukurthi National Park – specifically Avalanche, Naduvattam, and Korakundha – form an expansive, uninterrupted forest landscape. “This vital region supports a robust tiger population, alongside thriving herds of Nilgiri Tahr and golden jackals,” he explained. He further noted that the relative absence of invasive species makes this a prime area for the Tahr population from Mukurthi National Park to naturally expand.
A Geologically Fragile Landscape
Godwin Vasanth Bosco, a dedicated restoration practitioner, emphasized the extreme ecological sensitivity of the region. He warned that any project of this magnitude could drastically destabilize the delicate mountain ecosystem.
This very area has a history of vulnerability; in 2019, it experienced the highest 24-hour rainfall ever recorded in Tamil Nadu, with a staggering 820 mm concentrated within a mere 20 square kilometers. The severe landslips that followed rendered the Avalanche powerhouse inoperable for several months, a stark reminder of the region’s instability.
Gokul Halan, a hydro-ecologist residing in the Nilgiris, reiterated, “This area is notoriously susceptible to landslips. Back in 2019, heavy rains triggered hundreds of these events. The proposed underground tunneling, involving extensive blasting, will inevitably destabilize these slopes, jeopardizing the very integrity of the entire hill-complex.”
Countering these concerns, Aneesh Sekhar, Managing Director of Tamil Nadu Green Energy Corporation, stated, “The Upper Bhavani Pumped Storage Hydroelectricity Project utilizes two existing reservoirs at Upper Bhavani and Avalanche. The connecting system will primarily be underground. We anticipate only minimal surface impact at the upper and lower intake points, where some road construction might be necessary. A detailed environmental assessment is currently underway.” He urged the public to consider the significant benefits this project could bring.
Srinivas Reddy, Head of the Tamil Nadu State Forest Service, refrained from commenting on the project at this stage, noting, “We have not yet received a formal proposal for the project. I will be in a position to comment only after a thorough review of the complete documentation.”