Big power projects opposed in Lahaul

Dipender Manta

Tribune News Service

Mandi, July 23

Residents of Lahaul-Spiti have opposed the proposed mega hydropower projects on the Chandrabhaga basin. They are demanding a new power policy for the tribal district in which the thrust should be on mini hydropower, wind and solar projects to meet the demand of energy.

They are apprehensive that mega projects will destroy the ecology as was observed in Uttarakhand and Kinnaur where natural disasters had been reported.

A delegation of people met Union Health Minister Jai Prakash Nadda and sought rejection of the proposal. NGOs said the people were not in favour of mega hydropower projects.

Social activist Sudershan Jaspa said Lahaul-Spiti, Pangi and the Kinnaur valleys were fragile. Landslides had become a regular feature and blastings for the projects would cause more landslips that would damage villages and agricultural lands.

He said people had limited agriculture land. As many as 24 power projects were proposed in the district but people were adamant on opposing these.

Chander Mohan Parsheera, president of the Chandra-Bhaga Sangam Parav Samiti, said the samiti would oppose power projects in the vicinity of Tandi Sangam.

Residents of Udaipur and Tandi panchayats had refused to give NOC to the 400-MW Selli hydropower project, claiming that it would spell disaster for the area. The project is hanging fire for many years.

Team meets Nadda

• People are apprehensive that mega projects will destroy the ecology of Lahaul-Spiti
• A delegation also met Union Health Minister JP Nadda, urging him to reject the proposal