- Increased Opposition (April 2025): Local farmers, tribal groups, and environmentalists intensified protests against the Sillahalla Pumped Storage Hydroelectric Project (SPSHEP), submitting petitions to the Tamil Nadu government.
- Project Aim: The SPSHEP aims to generate 1,000 MW of electricity to meet Tamil Nadu’s peak power demand and support renewable energy integration.
- Location & Features: Located in the Nilgiris district, the project involves constructing two dams, tunnels, an underground powerhouse, and surface storage points.
- Environmental Concerns: The project threatens to submerge farmland and forest land, affecting approximately 3,000 farmers. Joint land ownership complicates compensation.
- Public Response: Local communities have raised concerns regarding environmental impact and the loss of livelihoods.
- Spiritual Protest: Residents from affected villages prayed to Lord Murugan, the Nilgiris’ guardian deity, to protect the environment and prevent the project’s implementation.
- “Sillahalla Kaavadi”: A special kaavadi was offered to Lord Murugan, symbolizing both cultural faith and environmental concern.
- Activist Involvement: Activists like M. Sivalingam (Sillahalla Protection Committee) and lawyer K. Vijayan participated in the spiritual protest.
- Need for divine intervention: Villagers now turn to the divine, believing 47.8C117.2 448 288 448 288 448s170.8 0 213.4-11.5c23.5-6.3 42-24.2 48.3-47.8 11.4-42.9 11.4-132.3 11.4-132.3s0-89.4-11.4-132.3zm-317.5 213.5V175.2l142.7 81.2-142.7 81.2z"/>
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that Lord Murugan alone can protect the hills, forests and future.
