Gundia Hydel Power Project ( GHEP) , Catastrophical Disaster in waiting .

1. Gundia Hydel Power Project ( GHEP) , Catastrophical Disaster in waiting .

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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!!

6. 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.

7. 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

8. 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.

9. 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

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. 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.

13. 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.

14. 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.

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