Torrent Power Project: Forest Clearance and Tribal Concerns

Why in the News?

Torrent Power's proposed 3,000-megawatt pumped-storage hydropower plant in Raigad district has led to the felling of nearly 1,100 trees, sparking protests over ecological and tribal concerns.

Key Highlights

• The project requires 377 hectares, including forest and tribal land, and may involve clearing over 32,000 trees.

• Environmental clearance was issued without recognising 150 Katkari families dependent on the forest for livelihoods.

• The site lies in ESZ 1, where the Gadgil panel recommended no major infrastructure projects.

• A study identified 26 Schedule I species

• The project aims to reduce Maharashtra's 74.19% coal-based power dependency and integrate solar and wind energy.

Know the Basics

• Pumped-storage hydropower: A system that stores energy by pumping water uphill during low demand and releasing it through turbines during peak demand.

• Forest Rights Act, 2006: Recognises traditional forest land and produce rights; claims must be verified by the Gram Sabha.

• Ecologically Sensitive Zones (ESZ): Areas classified for protection under the Gadgil panel, with restrictions on development based on sensitivity.

Detailed Analysis

Ecological Impact of Deforestation in the Western Ghats

• Western Ghats forests contribute to rainfall in Tamil Nadu and the Cauvery basin through evapotranspiration, as per a 2018 IIT Bombay study.

• Deforestation can degrade soil, reduce groundwater recharge, and increase surface temperatures by 0.25°C.

Tribal Livelihoods and Forest Rights

• Katkari families depend on forest produce like firewood, honey, and medicinal plants for daily earnings of ₹150-200.

• The Gram Sabha did not submit records of forest dependence, affecting compensation and rehabilitation eligibility.

Legal and Administrative Issues

• The Forest Department began tree felling without a no-objection certificate from the Pali panchayat.

• Environmental clearance requires a wildlife action plan to mitigate human-animal conflict, but implementation remains unclear.

Energy Benefits of Pumped-Storage Technology

• The facility will store surplus electricity and integrate intermittent solar and wind power into the grid.

• It could meet 10% of Maharashtra's demand and 75% of Mumbai's demand.

Significance for India

• Balancing energy needs with ecological conservation is critical for sustainable development.

• UPSC could test pumped-storage hydropower or the Forest Rights Act in Prelims or Mains.

• Western Ghats deforestation impacts rainfall and agriculture beyond Maharashtra.

• Tribals' exclusion raises ethical and governance questions under Social Justice.

Challenges

• Environmental clearance ignored tribal dependence and ecological sensitivity of ESZ 1 areas.

• Compensatory afforestation is planned far from the affected site, limiting its ecological benefits.

• Public hearings did not result in formal claims, raising concerns about procedural transparency.

Way Forward

• The Forest Department must ensure proper settlement of Forest Rights Act claims before land transfer.

• MoEFCC should reassess ecological impacts and enforce Gadgil panel recommendations for ESZ 1 areas.

• Torrent Power should engage with local communities for equitable compensation and rehabilitation.

• State energy planning must prioritise renewable sources while minimising ecological damage.