No clearance for Kerala's Athirapally hydro project: Ramesh

Union Environment and Forest Minister Jairam Ramesh on Monday said environment clearance to the much-awaited hydro-electric project at Athirapplly in Kerala could not be given as the proposed site was located in forest.

On evaluation of environment impact, the project had not been cleared, he told a press conference here after holding discussions with Chief Minister Oommen Chandy on various projects of the state.

The 163 MW project planned at the water resource bed of Chalakudy river was revived by the previous LDF government and the present Congress-led UDF Government was also pressing for its clearance.

Ramesh said the Centre had cleared the terms of reference of the Vizhinjam Deep sea International Transhipment Terminal for conducting an Environmental Impact Assessment report.

He said the report would be considered for the final clearance of the project, estimated to cost Rs 4,500 crore on completion.

An amount of Rs 500 crores would be allotted to state for taking up schemes under the Integrated Coastal Zone Management projects.

Ramesh said the schemes were vital for Kerala, where the overall erosion of shoreline was estimated to be around 63.02% as per Shoreline Change Assessment Map prepared by his ministry.

Steps to control pollution, preservation of mangroves and wet-lands would be some of the main thrust of the project, he said.

Ramesh said the Centre had sanctioned a Vembanad Eco-stem restoration scheme for Kerala and Rs 10 crore had been approved as an initial allotment.

It would make available a World Bank loan of USD 20 million for the implementation of various schemes under the Vembanad Eco-system programme, he said.

Ramesh said steps should be taken to check dumping of sewages by the house-boats into the Vembanad Lake, a main tourist destination in Kerala.

On Sabarimala master-plan, Ramesh said the Centre had already sanctioned 13 hectares of forest land for the development of the famous hill-shrine.

"I would also be visiting Sabarimala to discuss the ways to implement the plan, which envisages improved facilities for lakhs of pilgrims visiting the shrine."

The State Environmental Impact Assessment Authority and State Expert Appraisal Committee formed by the state had been approved by his Ministry, Ramesh said.

Kerala Ministers (Port) K Baby, R B Ganeshkumar (Forest), P K Kunhalikutty (Industries) and top officials were present at Ramesh's meeting with Chandy.