"T.N. Forest Dept. denies permits for Upper Bhavani hydro project site tests."

The Tamil Nadu Forest Department has denied permission to NTPC Tamil Nadu Energy Company Limited (NTECL) to conduct further tests at the proposed Upper Bhavani Pumped Storage Hydroelectric Project site, delivering a setback to the future of the project located between the ecologically sensitive Mukurthi National Park and the Avalanche Reserve Forest.

Senior forest officials said NTECL had earlier received approval to carry out surveys and drilling at the site as part of preliminary studies. However, its subsequent request to conduct “drifting tests” — geotechnical investigations to assess soil and rock stability — was turned down due to concerns over ecological impact.

Officials said the Divisional Forest Officer of the Nilgiris forest division recommended to the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests that permission for drifting tests should not be granted. The recommendation noted that such tests would require prior clearance under the Forest Conservation Act (FCA), which has not been obtained.

The surveys, drilling and drifting tests are part of NTECL’s preparatory work for drawing up a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the proposed hydroelectric project, officials said.

Despite the Forest Department’s reluctance to allow further exploratory activity, NTECL has applied for diversion of 56 hectares of forest land through the E-PARIVESH portal of the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. The proposal is expected to come up before the State’s Project Scrutiny Committee for further consideration.

Conservationists have raised strong objections to the project, warning that it would place significant pressure on an ecologically fragile landscape that supports several important species of flora and fauna, including the endangered Nilgiri tahr. They have also flagged concerns that the project could affect land considered sacred by indigenous communities, such as Devar Betta hill.

Tarun Chhabra, an expert on the indigenous Toda community, has previously pointed out that the seasonal Toda hamlet of Kolimund (Kwehh(r)shy), which was reoccupied this year after nearly two decades, lies close to the proposed upper storage area. He cautioned that reservoirs have already caused extensive biodiversity loss in the region and that underground blasting could destabilise hillsides, particularly during periods of extreme rainfall.