Athirappilly falls is situated 70 km from Kochi city in Kerala's Thrissur district. The 80 ft high falls is a part of the Chalakudy River and originates in the upper reaches of the Sholayar ranges in the Western Ghats.

Lush greenery and little streams that cover the winding route up and down to the falls exhilarate and intimidate all at once. The region is home to many endangered species of animals such as the Asiatic elephant, tiger, leopard, bison and sambhar. Four species of hornbill are only seen here in the Western Ghats. It also has one of the highest levels of fish diversity with 85 different species of fresh water fish. Sadly, this melting pot of biodiversity is now under threat.

The Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) had proposed the Athirappilly Power Project, a 163 megawatt hydroelectric project, on the 144 km small but heavily dammed Chalakudy River. This included a 23-metre high and 311-metre wide dam around 5 kms upstream of the picturesque falls in the Vazhachal Forest division in Thrissur. If this project is constructed, it will submerge an area of 138.8 hectares. Water from this reservoir will be diverted 7 km downstream through a 4.5 km long tunnel to a power house, located on the banks of a tributary of the main Chalakudy River.

Now the State government’s NOC permitting the Kerala State Electricity Board to obtain the statutory clearances for the Athirappilly hydroelectric project has evoked strong response from tribes people and ecologists who have been campaigning against it.

The Athirappilly HEP, if implemented, will result in irrevocable damage to the forest and environment and the river. It will have serious social impacts on the communities dependent on the river. Apart from that, the project will produce very little energy at an exorbitantly high cost, resulting in a huge financial burden for the utility and ultimately the consumer.

Let us join the campaign and support them!

Save Athirappilly, Save Biodiversity!

Reference: 1) https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/athirappilly-project-on-the-boil-again/article31799329.ece

2) https://www.indiawaterportal.org/articles/athirapilly-falls-under-threat