Date:07/11/2009 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2009/11/07/stories/2009110755260300.htm

Karnataka

Bhoruka Energy’s proposal to set up power plant rejected

Correspondent

Proposed plant is close to wildlife sanctuaries
Application was rejected on October 13

Karwar: The Union Ministry of Environment and Forests has rejected the application of Bhoruka Energy Limited (BEL) to set up a thermal power plant at Halga village adjacent to Hanakon in Karwar taluk stating that it is very near to the Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary in Goa and Anashi Wildlife Sanctuary. On similar grounds, permission given to the Hanakon thermal power plant should be withdrawn, B.S. Pai, advocate and member of the Anti-thermal Power Plant Samiti (ATPPS) of Hanakon, has said. Addressing presspersons here on Friday, Mr. Pai said the committee for determination of terms of reference (CDToF) of the Central Environment and Forest Department had rejected the application of BEL after a meeting on October 13 in New Delhi. BEL said that its project would be located about 5 km from the power plant of Ind-Bharath. Imported coal would be used. BEL in its representation admitted that the Cotigoa Wildlife Sanctuary was 5.4 km away from its proposed plant and Anashi sanctuary was 12.8 km away. The Arabian Sea was 13.6 km away from the proposed plant. Mr. Pai said that these points went against BEL and permission was denied.

ATPPS president K.D. Naik and members Ravindra Pawar and Kiran Achari were present.