Himalayan plunder: How hydropower projects in the hills have increased disasters there

Source: The post is based on the article “Himalayan plunder: How hydropower projects in the hills have increased disasters there” published in The Hindu on 6th April 2023

What is the News?

There has been an increase in hydro projects in the Himalayas despite the fact that they are prone to landslides and earthquakes.

About the Hydropower Projects Potential in the Himalayan Region

The Himalayan region is regarded as the powerhouse of India due to its abundant water bodies and ideal topography to utilize the resource for electricity generation.

Government estimates suggest that the region has the potential to generate 115,550 MW with its installed capacity of 46,850 MW.

Till November 2022, 10 states and two Union territories in the region had 81 large hydropower projects (above 25 MW) and 26 projects under construction. Another 320 large projects are in the pipeline.

How have Hydropower projects in the Himalayas increased disasters?

Despite the fact that the Himalayan region in India is part of a seismically active zone, the Hydropower projects in the region have been mushrooming and disasters linked to these projects have increased. For instance:

In 2012, flooding in the Assi Ganga river damaged the Assi Ganga hydroelectric projects (HEP) 1 and 2.

The 2013 Kedarnath floods severely damaged Phata-Byung, Singoli-Bhatwari, and Vishnuprayag HEPs.

In 2021, a rock and ice avalanche destroyed the Rishi Ganga project and damaged the Vishnugad-Tapovan HEP, leaving over 200 dead and estimated losses of Rs 1500 crore.

Recently, in Uttarakhand’s Joshimath town, where more than 800 buildings have developed cracks due to subsidence, the government imposed a ban on construction activities, including on the works at Tapovan Vishnugad hydropower project.

About the committee setup to study the impact of Hydro Projects in the Himalayan Region

A 17-member expert committee headed by Ravi Chopra was set up by the Government to examine the role of 24 such hydropower projects in the Alaknanda and Bhagirathi basin, which contains the Ganga and several tributaries.

The committee had concluded an “irreversible impact” on the ecology of the region by 23 projects. 

Another committee, led by Vinod Tare of the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur also concluded that these projects could have a significant environmental impact. 

What are the steps needed to address the impact of Hydro Projects in the Himalayan Region?

There is a dire need to re-evaluate these projects based on current scientific data.

Most of the existing or under-construction projects in the Himalayas were envisaged 10-15 years ago, and the government should look at new science and then decide.

Even if the government decides in favour of the project, let the local panchayat give it in writing that they are in favour of the project.