KAIGA (UTTARA KANNADA): The proposed Units 5 and 6 of the Kaiga nuclear plant have encountered their first hurdle -- a quarry allocated to extract construction material for the units falls within the ecologically sensitive Kali Tiger Reserve and Western Ghats.
Environmental activists, who have opposed the proposal, want an alternative site to be allocated. Despite accepting these facts, considering the objections and taking note of intense opposition, the Deputy Director General of Forests (DDGF) has okayed the proposal for consideration.
The approved site to extract construction material for the two units of Kaiga Nuclear Power Station measures 3.70 hectares on Survey No 87, Devikar village in Karwar taluk of Uttara Kannada district that falls within the tiger reserve.
“It is within the ecologically sensitive zone of Kali Tiger Reserve, where quarrying is prohibited. Devikar village is part of the Western Ghats eco-sensitive area. The user agency (UA -- Kaiga Nuclear Power Plant) has not submitted any environmental clearance (EC) and Wildlife Clearance (WLC) required for the purpose,” observes DDGF S Senthil Kumar in his letter, but still goes ahead and recommends it for consideration.
His letter suspects that Kaiga plant carried out quarrying at the site, violating norms. “The quarry area had earlier been in operation and under the possession of the UA. After the expiry of the lease in 1999, it was not taken back by the forest department and the quarrying reportedly continued beyond 1999 for Units 3 and 4 in violation of the Forest Conservation Act 1980,” the letter available with The New Indian Express observes.
‘No forest clearance obtained under Act’
“There has been no forest clearance obtained under the said Act (Wildlife Act 1980) for the existing approach road connecting quarry site and the nuclear power plant. The area, according to the DFO, is ecologically rich with flora and fauna diversity which includes endemic and endangered species listed under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972,” the letter states.
The region is also a high rainfall zone – prone to soil erosion and landslides. But, ironically, the letter says, “ The quarry material is proposed to be used for construction of Unit 5 and 6 of the nuclear power plant. The proposal is recommended. The above observations are submitted for consideration.”
These observations have been made following a letter written by Belagavi-based conservationist Giridhar Kulkarni to the Ministry of Environment, Forests and climate change dated January 6, 2026. Assistant Commissioner Forestry Jitesh Kumar had referred this letter and forwarded it to the DDGF, Regional Office, Bengaluru and additional chief secretary, Department of Forests, Ecology And Environment, Bengaluru, requesting appropriate action.
Pointing out that the lease was allocated to the Kaiga plant in 1994, Kulkarni objects to the forest clearance proposal for quarry work. “The said proposals have been recommended by the Government of Karnataka based on recommendations by Principal Chief Conservator of Forests , DCF, Karwar Division. Thereafter it has been sent to the Government of India for and principal approval without insisting upon mandatory requirements of obtaining fresh forest, wildlife environmental clearance,” the letter stated.