Gundia Hydel Power Project ( GHEP) ,

Catastrophical Disaster in waiting .

Streams are the lifeline of lakhs of people

The west flowing streams play major

role in agriculture and livelihood of

inhabitants of the lowland Any modification in the flow of these

streams, will affect people's lifestyle

adversely Even the ground water level will be

affected. Building multiple dams across these

rivers will cut-off the access of this

water to the lowland.

Tunneling the water through the heart of the hill

Proposed 21 km long tunnel through

the hills will not just diverts the river

flow, but it causes the drying up of

tiny streams in the area. These tiny streams are vital for the

bio-diversity of the area to sustain. Amphibians, reptiles and the

vegetation will not sustain without

the moisture of such streams. Even the crops cultivated in that area

are highly dependent on the water of

these tiny streamlets.

Threat from Dams

Various dams have been constructed

in western ghats leading to the loss of

vast wooded area. Along with the life

it had been supporting. In the peoples manifesto by 'Save

western ghats' campaign it has been

urged that no new dams are to be

constructed across the rivers of

western ghats. As it submerges the

forest in one go. And its ill effects

are immediate.

Dams submerging the pristine forests

3 dams proposed to be built across

Bettakumri & Hongadahlla rivers

will submerge 1900 acres of forest. Though all this land doesn't come

under forest department, but still it is

the forest, rich in bio diversity. It should not be the criteria that, land

not belonging to forest department is

free to be destroyed. Because wildlife

doesn't know to which department

the land belongs to!!

Proposed Betta Kumri Dam site

Betta Kumri Dam proposed to be

built submerging the thick

evergreen forest forever

Along with the forest, the

livelihood of the people and the

survival of the wildlife will also

be lost.

Threat to the Lion tailed macaque

Being the prime habitat of critically

endangered Lion tailed macaque, it has

very high conversational value. Since these primates resides in the

canopy of the forests, even the linear

clearance of forests restrict its movement. As the forest around Gundia is one of the

longest stretch of rain forests in whole of

the western ghats, it makes this an

important habitat of these endangered

primates

Threat to the birds

This mass submerge of forest

is a threat to the bird life of the

region

As this area is the home for

many endemic and threatened

species, there is a special need

for conservation of this area.

Threat to the tiger habitat

As this place is one of the tiger

habitats, there is a prime importance

for its conservation, to save the

dwindling tiger population in India.

Tiger presence has been found in

many places where the project is to

be implemented

With increased protection, there is no

doubt that tiger population will thrive

in this pristine habitat

Man animal conflict

Already areas surrounding Gundia &

Coorg are witnessing man-animal

conflict.

As the reservoirs submerging the

forest will cut the local migration

corridors forever, this man-wildlife

conflict can be expected to rise.

Such scenarios are already reported

from other areas.

Legendary rain forests of Bisle ghat

These rain forests form the

longest stretch of rain forest in

whole of the western ghats. These

forests have been featured in folk

arts and literary works in

Kannada. From centuries these

rain forests were believed by the

folk to be invincible. These

forests play the role, what

Himalaya plays in the North.

Home to the rarest of the floral species

Area around the project site is

home to numerous rare floral

species. Ranging from orchids,

ferns, creepers and timbers.

Veteria Indica sp found growing

abundantly in this area compared

to the northern western ghats.

Supports 67 endemic species

which need specific habitat for

their survival.

Rain forests for the survival of mankind!!

Rain forests stabilize the climate

by absorbing the CO2. Excess

carbon dioxide will lead to

climate change through global

warming. Rain forests are like

heat global sink.

Rain forests affect local weather

conditions by creating rain fall

and moderating temperatures.

Rainforests help to maintain the water cycle

Rain forests help maintaining the

water cycle. Ensuring the continues

movement of water on, above and

below the surface.

These forests add water to the

atmosphere through the process

called transpiration, which helps

forming the rain clouds.

If rain forests are cut down, less

moisture goes into atmosphere

resulting in declined rainfall.

Let us unite to save this gift of nature to the country !!

Lets oppose and say No to Gundia Hydro Electric Project ( GHEP)

Presentation by

Hari Somashekar

Founder Member – Director of Publicity and Awareness

( KANS)

Guru Prasad Thimmapur

Member and Naturalist ( KANS)

Kenneth Anderson Nature Society

www.kans.org.in