After NBWL nod, power board will be given go-ahead: GHNP

The Tribune impact

Dipender Manta

Tribune News Service

Mandi, July 1

The Great Himalayan National Park (GHNP) authority, Kullu, has declined to take any blame for the inordinate delay in the installation of power lines in the remote villages Shakti- Maror and Shugad in Kullu district, saying that the delay was caused as the case was not submitted to it in time.

The GHNP authority said that after approval of the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL), the GHNP authority Kullu would allow HP State Electricity Board (HPSEB) to install power lines for remote villages Shakti- Maror and Shugad in Kullu district. These villages are awaiting this facility since Independence.

The Tribune had highlighted the plight of residents of these remote villages, who were suffering due to lack of basic amenities like road connectivity, power supply and health facilities for decades. As a result, the matter was discussed at a meeting of HP State Board for Wildlife (HPSBWL) in Shimla in the presence of the Chief Minister recently. Now the case has been forwarded to the NBWL for approval.

These villages fall under GHNP area in Sainj valley in Banjar assembly segment of Kullu district, which was considered a major obstacle for the state government in carrying out any development work in the area for the benefit of the villagers.

However, the GHNP authority denied the allegations of local residents of Shakti-Maror and Shugad villages, in which they alleged that the GHNP authority is reluctant to provide permission to the HPSEB to install power lines passing through the GHNP area.

Talking to The Tribune, Divisional Forest officer (DFO) GHNP Kullu Suneet Bhardwaj said the delay was on the part of the HPSEB Kullu to submit the case of these villages to the GHNP authority for approval in time.

“In 2016, a joint inspection was held by officials of the HPSEB and the GHNP authority to assess the loss as a result of installation of power lines. A survey was carried out which revealed that 129 trees were to be axed, while a few trees would suffer partial damage. After inspection in 2016, the case was not submitted to the GHNP authority for approval in time, which delayed the process,” he remarked.

The DFO stated that a meeting of the HPSBWL was held recently in Shimla. The meeting was chaired by Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur, where discussions were held over the grievances being faced by these villagers. He said the case has now been sent to the NBWL for approval. After permission from the NBWL, the GHNP authority would allow HPSEB to install power lines to these villages under the GHNP area.