Mandi: Less water release from Pandoh dam in Beas irks green activists

Tribune News Service

Mandi, February 8

Inadequate water release from Pandoh dam in Beas river by the Pandoh dam authorities during winter has irked the environmentalists in Mandi district. Pandoh Dam is controlled by Bhakra Beas Management Board. The environmentalists alleged that during winter every year, dam authorities at Pandoh reduce release of water in Beas drastically, which adversely impacted aquatic culture as well as the environment.

Narender Saini, president of Dev Bhumi Paryavaran Rakshak Manch, alleged that it was observed that every year during winter dam authorities at Pandoh release water less than 15 per cent. It is mandatory for the dam authorities to release 15 per cent water from Pandoh dam into Beas to avoid harm to environment as well as to aquatic culture.

“When we complain against the dam authorities to the district administration and HP Pollution Control Board, they release adequate water in Beas. But after some time, they reduce the release of water drastically,” he said.

“We request the state government and the HP Pollution Control Board to ask the dam authorities across the state to install equipment to monitor the release of water from dams into rivers on a regular basis. This will play a crucial role in checking this practice of dam authorities,” he pointed out.

“Since January 22, less water has been released from Pandoh Dam. We request Deputy Commissioner Apoorv Devgan to look into the matter and direct the dam authorities at Pandoh to release 15 per cent water into Beas regularly,” he said.

Neetu Singh, Assistant Director, Fisheries Department, Mandi, said in a recent investigation it was observed that the dam authorities were releasing less water, which had a direct impact on aquatic life in Beas. The department is issuing a letter to the dam authorities at Pandoh telling them to release adequate water from the dam in a regular basis to avoid harm to the nature as well as aquatic culture in the Beas downstream Pandoh dam.

When tried, XEN Bhakra Beas Management Board at Pandoh Vivek Chopra was not available for comment.

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#Bhakra Beas Management Board BBMB #Environment #Mandi