Bengaluru: Chief Minister D K Shivakumar has sought early consideration of Karnataka’s Sharavathi pumped storage project and the Mekedatu geotechnical survey proposal by the National Board for Wildlife’s Standing Committee, while urging the Centre to defer finalising the Western Ghats eco-sensitive area notification until a physical survey is completed.
Shivakumar submitted the requests during a meeting with Union Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Bhupender Yadav at Paryavaran Bhavan in New Delhi on Thursday. The requests concern pending proposals; the meeting announcement does not state that wildlife clearance has been granted.
Met with Hon’ble Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Shri Bhupender Yadav (@byadavbjp) in New Delhi to discuss key issues concerning Karnataka’s development and the welfare of our people.
I urged the Union Minister’s intervention on the following matters:
• Early consideration of the 2,000 MW Sharavathy Pumped Storage Project, for which Karnataka has submitted the required clarifications and NIAS report.
• Early consideration of the Mekedatu Balancing Reservoir and Drinking Water Project’s geo-technical survey proposal, which involves 20 boreholes and does not seek diversion of the protected area.
• Deferring the finalisation of the Western Ghats Ecologically Sensitive Area notification until Karnataka’s High-Level Committee submits its report and the physical survey is completed within a year.
• Removal of Eco Cane Sugar Energy Limited from the Eco-Sensitive Zone, keeping in mind that the factory predates 2016 and the livelihoods of over 500 workers and 5,000 families depend on it.
Karnataka’s progress must go hand in hand with the protection of our forests, the security of our water resources and the well-being of our people. Every decision must recognise the aspirations of our farmers, the concerns of local communities and the livelihoods of families who depend on these resources.
We will continue to work towards a future where development and environmental responsibility move forward together, in the best interests of Karnataka and our people.
— DK Shivakumar (@DKShivakumar) October 22, 2026
Sharavathi: clarifications and NIAS report submitted
Shivakumar said Karnataka had submitted the documents and clarifications sought for the 2,000 MW Sharavathi pumped storage project, including a technical report from Bengaluru’s National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS).
The proposal was last discussed at the Standing Committee’s 89th meeting on February 28, 2026, when the State or user agency was asked to respond to the technical committee’s concerns and submit the NIAS report, according to the statement.
He urged Yadav, as chair of the Standing Committee, to have the Sharavathi and Mekedatu proposals examined and recommended expeditiously.
Mekedatu request is for survey, not land diversion
The Mekedatu Balancing Reservoir and Drinking Water Project proposal seeks permission to drill 20 boreholes for a geotechnical survey in the Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary, covering a stated total area of 0.0000352 hectares.
The proposal was submitted to the Union ministry on July 1, 2026, for consideration by the Standing Committee.
The ministry has sought additional documents and information on the status of various petitions pending before the Supreme Court. Shivakumar said these would be provided shortly.
He emphasised that the present proposal concerns only survey and investigation activities and does not seek diversion of protected-area land for the project at this stage.
Western Ghats: wait for physical survey
On the Kasturirangan report, Shivakumar urged the Centre not to finalise the seventh draft notification, dated July 27, 2026, concerning the declaration of ecologically sensitive areas in the Western Ghats.
He said the State had made the same request to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a letter dated September 25, 2026.
Karnataka wants the Centre to wait for the report of its High-Level Committee and completion of a physical survey within a year, and to take further steps in consultation with the State government.
Request concerning Belagavi sugar factory
Shivakumar also sought the exclusion of Eco Cane Sugar and Energy Ltd in Belagavi from the eco-sensitive zone, saying the factory had begun operations before 2016.
He said around 500 workers were employed at the factory and about 5,000 families depended on it. The request for exclusion was presented on that basis; no decision granting it was announced.
Earlier related coverage: DK Shivakumar urges Tamil Nadu delegation to inspect Mekedatu project site.
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