After the June 2013 floods & widespread annihilation, the Uttarakhand govt was widely criticised for illegitimate constructions & increasing hydro-power projects across its river beds. Though, the state has sought authorization from the Center to increase its mandate for clearing an additional 50 hydro projects & also expulsion of eco-sensitive zone in the region.
As per to rules, the state govt can clear hydro-power projects up to 2 Megawatt on its own, beyond which it will require the Centre’s consent. As per to a top official at the Ministry of Environment & Forest the local govt has requested the ministry to improve the require for approval up to 25 Mw. This would cause to approval of at least 50 more hydro tasks. “The govt also wants us to carry down the complete eco-sensitive place area in the place,” said the official.
Uttarakhand govt plans to have a complete of 336 hydro power projects with total capacity of 27,189 Megawatt. The biggest Number (122) of such projects is in the Alaknanda basin, and the biggest capacity is suggested to be in the Sharda basin at 12,450 Megawatt. Though, sources say that the state wants caps for clearances to be increased to 25 megawatt (Mw) in Bhagirathi basin.
Dec 18, 2012, the Center had announced an area of 4,179.59 sq km, protecting the entire watershed around a 100-km expand of the Bhagirathi from Gomukh to Uttarkashi, an eco-sensitive place under the Environment Protection Act, 1986. “Even after the calamity, they are in no feelings to preserve the surroundings and want to lift this announcement on eco-sensitive zone. The state govt again requested for this delayed last month,” said the environment ministry official estimated above.
When asked about this, Himanshu Thakkar, country goes, South Asia Network on Dams, Rivers and People, said: “The state govt is not displaying any issues for the typical man and performing on part of interested passions. Even for 2-Megawatt clearances, the consent of gram sabhas should be created mandatory. Though, the move itself is unlawful as there is a court ban on clearance of any such projects.” The Superior Court had directed the govt in Aug 2012 to not give any clearance.
A Comptroller and Auditor Common report in 2010 had mentioned there was a hydro-electric project every 5 to 6 km in the area. Moreover, a study on hydro-projects by the Wildlife Institute of India under the MoEF 2 years ago had mentioned unlawful constructions could impact river flow in 47 % of Alaknanda and Bhagirathi basins.
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