Permission to Himalayan Hydroelectric Project (HEP)
Ministries have agreed to grant permission to seven Himalayan Hydroelectric Project (HEPs).
An affidavit was filed in the Supreme Court by the government as part of the ongoing suit on the viability of HEPs since the Uttarakhand floods of 2013. The consensus was conveyed in a consolidated affidavit placed in the Supreme Court by the Environment Ministry.
However, no other new project will be allowed in the upper reaches of the Ganga.
The projects already sanctioned will have to comply with the environmental norms which stipulate the minimum flow in the river throughout the year to keep the river clean/clean/healthy.
The Indian Himalayan region (IHR) accounts for about 79% of the country’s total hydroelectric potential of 1, 48,700 MW. However, only 16% have been utilized so far.
Impact of HEP Construction on Ecologically Sensitive Indian Himalayan Region (IHR):
Geological: Explosion in tunnels with underground construction induces landslides/instability of slopes, springs (mainly warm water sources) and underground water sources can dry up.
Due to accumulation of debris etc. on the river banks, the amount of silt in the river is increasing.
Climate change-related disasters such as flash flood, rupture of glacial lakes and cloudbursts add to the effects of widespread damage to the region.
Seven Projects and Related Rivers
Projects: Rivers
- Vishnugarh Pipalkoti: Alaknanda River
- Tapovan Vishnugarh: Dhauliganga River
- Singolibhatwari: Mandakini River
- Phata-Buyong: Mandakini River
- Tehri Stage: Bhagirathi River
- Madhyamaheshwar: Madhyamaheshwar Ganga
- Kaliganga : Kaliganga River
Source – The Hindu
