Lahaul residents oppose power projects at Jispa

Tribune News Service

Mandi, January 10

Residents of Lahaul and Spiti district are opposing the setting up of power projects on the Chenab.

Rigzin Heyreppa, social activist and president of the Jispa Dam Sangharsh Samiti, told The Tribune that despite opposition from the people of Lahaul and Spiti, the state government is planning to set up power projects on the Chenab. There is a proposal to construct a dam for a 300 MW power project at Jispa village in the Lahaul valley, which would lead to the displacement of a large number of families from the area.

“We, the tribal people of this valley, located along the banks of the Chandrabhaga river and its several glacial tributaries flowing freely in the upper Chenab belt, have been opposing the construction of over 12 mega hydropower projects proposed here in 2010. These projects were allotted to various private companies which are said to have given them up stating that these were economically not viable, technically not feasible and ecologically disastrous. Unfortunately, now all these projects are in the process of being taken over by companies such as the NHPC, NTPC, SJVPL and the HPPPCL, which is a matter of concern for us,” he said.

“Lahaul and Spiti is known as a natural green house bestowed with floral and faunal biodiversity boasting of over 26 endangered high-altitude wildlife species like snow leopards, Himalayan Ibex and Brown bears, besides over 250 avian species,” said Heyreppa.

“Pristine glaciers, glacial rivers, agricultural farmlands and meadows have already been adversely impacted due to various natural causes. Power projects, if set up, will prove disastrous for the ecology of the area,” he added.

“We urge the government to shun the idea of setting up power projects in this tribal district to save the ecology of the area,” said Heyreppa.

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