Karnataka HC Halts Activities in Sharavathi Valley Macaque Sanctuary

The Karnataka High Court has directed the state government to halt all ground-level activities within the Sharavathi Valley Lion-Tailed Macaque Sanctuary and its Eco-Sensitive Zone. The interim order was issued while hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) challenging the approval granted by the Karnataka State Wildlife Board for the proposed Sharavathi Pumped Storage Project and the construction of the Kalkatte Bridge. The court emphasised that the matter raises serious environmental concerns requiring careful judicial examination.

Court Issues Interim Protection Order

A division bench comprising Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice C M Poonacha issued the interim directive after considering arguments presented by various parties. The bench ordered that no steps or physical activities related to the project should be undertaken within the sanctuary or its surrounding eco-sensitive zone until further hearings. The case has been scheduled for the next hearing on June 10.

Public Interest Litigation Against the Project

The PIL was filed by wildlife conservationist Akhilesh Chipli, human rights activist Dr Ravindranath Shanbhogue and environmentalist Manohar Kumar C B. The petitioners challenged the Karnataka State Wildlife Board’s decision taken on January 28, 2025, which supported the proposed 2,000 MW Sharavathi Pumped Storage Project inside the sanctuary area. According to the petition, such activities could cause severe ecological damage to the fragile ecosystem of the Western Ghats.

Arguments Presented Before the Court

During the hearing, Additional Solicitor General K Arvind Kamat informed the court that the central government has serious concerns regarding the project and that statutory approval has not yet been granted. The Karnataka government’s Advocate General argued that the matter remains under consideration by the National Board for Wildlife and therefore the petition may be premature. Counsel representing Karnataka Power Corporation Limited also stated that certain non-forest activities might still be permissible.

Important Facts for Exams

• The lion-tailed macaque is an endangered primate species endemic to the Western Ghats.
• The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 regulates activities within wildlife sanctuaries and national parks in India.
• Section 29 of the Act restricts destruction or diversion of wildlife habitat inside sanctuaries.
• The Western Ghats is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots.

Environmental Concerns Over the Proposed Project

Petitioners argued that the proposed pumped storage project and bridge construction could threaten the region’s biodiversity, including several rare and endangered species. They contended that such activities would violate the protections provided under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. The court acknowledged the seriousness of the environmental implications and decided to temporarily halt any on-ground work until the legal and ecological issues are fully examined.