Kerala Electricity Board Uproots Trees for Hydro Project; Kadars Continue Agitation

Amid consistent protests for community rights by Kadars (a tribal group), Kerala Electricity Board has started felling eight-hectares forest for Anakkayam Hydropower project. The project is said to require blasting in the buffer-zone of Parambikulam Tiger Reserve, which can submerge stretches of evergreen-forests with highly endemic animal-species. Reportedly, no consent from Kadars was taken before commencing the project. Earlier, in 2014, Kadars also boycotted the Lok-Sabha elections demanding withdrawal of Athirappilly hydropower project.