SIRSI: Krishna Hegde of Ajjimane in Kakkalli village of Sirsi taluk establishing a mini hydel power project at his house for self could be considered an exalted step in making of 'Gram Swarajya'.
The 1 KW project useswater from a small rivulet flowing on the other side of the village has been an inspiration to other.
In association with the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE-New Delhi) and Karnataka Renewable Energy Development Limited (KREDL-Bangalore), Nisarga Environmental Technologies (NET)- Shimoga has established the unit. All electric domestic appliances could be run on the generated power, says technical expert Ravi S of NET.
Uttara Kannada MP Anantkumar Hegde, who inaugurated the unit on Tuesday, said that this type of projects would serve dual purposes- power generation and saving environment. It is an eye opener for those who favour mega power projects at the cost of environment, he added. He also said that the district has potential for 100 such projects.
District In-Charge Minister Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri lauding the venture of Krishna Hegde, asked people of the district to take up more such projects as a plausible solution to mitigate the power crisis.
Western Ghat Task Force chairman Anant Ashishar recalled that studies on mini hydro power projects were undertaken about 15 years ago. He said that mini hydel power projects would be ideal alternative for mega nuclear or hydel projects which are often associated with great risks and environmental hazards.