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NEW DELHI: Environmental clearance should not be given to the proposed Athirappally-hydroelectric project, the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel(WGEEP) stated in a report submitted to the Environment Ministry.The report stated that the project site falls under an eco-sensitive zone where no new large-scale storage dams should be permitted.The Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) had proposed to construct the dam to generate 163 MW of power. The height and length of the dam was proposed to be 23 meters and 311 feet, respectively. The water spread area would be 104 hectares and the total forest area required for the project would be 138 hectares.WGEEP stated that the construction of a dam would completely alter the ecological health of the river system. The irrigation facilities under the Chalakkudy River Diversion Scheme(CRDS) would be adversely affected, the report pointed out. In its concluding remarks, WGEEP said that the biodiversity richness, the high conservation value, highly significant fish fauna with 22 endemic and nine critically endangered species, bird fauna with 75 per cent of the endemic species of the Western Ghats and the unique riverine ecosystem, irreparable damage on the bio-diversity and ecosystem should be taken into account before giving the nod to the project. The authorities should also look into the impact of the project on downstream irrigation and drinking water, the questionable technical feasibility and the meagre amount of power to be generated via the project and how it affects the lives of the primitive Kadar tribes residing in the area, it said. The report recommended that the Chalakkudy river should be declared a fish diversity area, and should be managed on the conservation pattern of the biodiversity rich areas of Udumbanchola taluk.
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