76 projects commissioned, 300 are being implemented

The Western Ghats, which has made it to the coveted list of World Heritage sites, is facing a serious threat from mini-hydel projects in Karnataka. According to K. Ramesh, a senior officer of Karnataka Renewable Energy Development Ltd. (KREDL), 76 mini-hydel projects have already been commissioned and 300 are in various stages of implementation. Sources in KREDL disclosed that permission had been accorded for setting up 72 mini-hydel projects in the Western Ghats. Of these, 44 are coming up along the Netravati and its tributaries.