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Moratorium on hydroelectric projects demanded

SHIMLA: A number of NGOs representing social and environmental interests of the locals strongly protested against “developmental initiatives” of the State Government on the occasion of World Environment Day.

Himalayan Niti Abhiyan, a voluntary organisation spearheading the campaign in Himachal Pradesh, organised a rally on Monday to create public awareness on environmental issues and demanded a complete moratorium on hydro-electric projects and cement industry in the State. No more projects should be sanctioned on the Sutlej and the mega design of the latest 775-MW Luhri project on the river should be changed, said the activists. The local communities should be allotted equity in all the projects under construction, they said.

The environmentalists alleged that Jai Prakash Associates have encroached upon more than 400 bighas of land in Karcham Wangtoo project thus violating the Himachal Pradesh Lease Rules, Tribal Laws, Forest Rights Act and Himachal Revenue Law. The developers are constructing tunnels illegally, dumping excavated material and debris at more than 30 non-designated sights inside the high flood zone of the Sutlej and Baspa and extracting riverbed material by violating laws, they charged.

Himachal is producing more than 6000 MW hydro-electric power and is expected to achieve 12,000 MW of power within two years. The State's power production target is more than 21,000 MW while the need is just 1,500 MW, said the activists.

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