The tourism industry sells. But if it is used to sell the idea of a controversial hydropower project, the project has caused deep doubts and resentment for decades, a problem with the rounds now in Kerala.
A week ago, the state-run Kerala State Electricity Commission (KSEB) announced plans to check whether it could be developed as an “integrated tourism and capacity generation project”.
The 163 MW (MW) Hydel Project, proposed on the Chalakudy River in the western Thrissur district of Kerala, was first proposed in 1979, symbolizing the unconscious development of the southern state and the permanent war on the destruction of nature. After a long gap, it suddenly attracted attention, an April 24 order noting that the meeting of KSEB's full-time directors has approved “reinventing Athirappilly Hep into a tourism-friendly project.”
Although the Ministry of Environment and Forests won environmental sanctions in 1998, the Athirappilly Hydel project has not been successful due to environmental concerns. The Greens have long opposed it, citing irreversible consequences that have had irreversible consequences for an unusually affluent area located in the Western Ghats. Since it involves the construction of the dam, there are concerns about the large amount of riparian forest land, the wealth of flora and fauna and fauna and fauna and the displacement of Cardas, a tribe known as the houses in the area. Additionally, Greens believes that the project will change the character of the Chalakudy River and send death within the knees for the scenic Athirappilly and Vazhachal Falls.
The protests prompted a continuous state government to declare that the project could only be implemented through consensus. As a result, it is dormant and is expected to die from natural death. This impression is especially in the currency gained in recent years, although everyone knows that KSEB, which handles power generation, transmission and distribution of Kerala Electric Power Corporation, has not completely abandoned its pet projects.
On April 28, KSEB followed its orders and issued a press statement explaining its intentions to see if the Hydel project could be developed with tourism amenities and proposed the concept of public debate. The announcement was quickly criticized that KSEB was just trying to repackage the project in the smooth packaging of the tourism industry. State sources responded to renewed anger from environmentalists and local communities, denying that the plan supported political decisions.
Still, it is interesting that the Athirappilly Hydel project is back in the news at a time when Kerala's power sector is witnessing huge changes.
Traditionally, hydropower has occupied internal electricity generation in defective states. However, internal production meets only about 30%, making the state largely dependent on the distribution of electricity purchased from central power plants and externally.
But recently, Kerala has been witnessing a surge in the use of other forms of renewable energy, especially solar energy. By 2040, it aspires to be a 100% renewable country and is net carbon neutral by 2050. In the near future, the state hopes to increase 3,000 MW through solar and wind projects and 1,500 MW through hydropower projects. (It must be noted that the hydropower plan does not include Athirappilly.)
In addition, there are also active pursuits of pumped storage projects, battery energy storage systems and green hydrogen programs.
The question arises is whether the Athirappilly Hydel project was conceived decades ago in a different context, relevant in this rapidly changing landscape that offers easy access, low-priced options.
Furthermore, it is impossible to deny the fact that Kerala has witnessed a series of natural disasters in recent years. Such a gloomy background requires development projects, especially those in vulnerable locations, to undergo a rigorous and careful review through environmental sustainability, safety and long-term public interest.
publishing – May 7, 2025 at 02:33 AM IST
