Himachal Hydro Projects on Same Stream Spark Environmental Evasion Concerns
The Jal Shakti department of Himachal Pradesh has officially confirmed that two small hydroelectric projects under development near Kasol in the Parvati Valley source water from the identical rivulet. This revelation strengthens allegations that the projects have been deliberately split to circumvent mandatory cumulative environmental impact assessments.
Affidavit Details Project Connections and Ownership
In a significant affidavit submitted to the National Green Tribunal (NGT), Superintending Engineer Bhag Singh disclosed that both the 5MW Kasol small hydro project and the 5MW Grahan-Kasol hydro project utilize water from a single stream system. The Kasol project is positioned downstream, while the Grahan-Kasol project operates upstream.
The Kasol project is owned by Beena Butail, who is the wife of veteran Congress leader Brij Bihari Butail and mother of Palampur MLA Ashish Butail. The Grahan-Kasol project is owned by Dinesh Butail, a tea grower based in Palampur. Despite drawing from the same water source, the projects use different names for the stream in their official documents: the Kasol project refers to it as the "Kasol river," whereas the Grahan-Kasol project identifies it as "Grahan Nallah."
Department Defends Processing as Separate Entities
The Jal Shakti department asserted that both project proposals were processed independently because they were submitted by distinct legal entities with separate allotments from HIMURJA, the state agency responsible for small hydro projects. The department emphasized that No Objection Certificates (NOCs) were issued based on the nomenclature specified in the allotment letters, maintaining there was no concealment or fraudulent activity on its part.
However, this affidavit holds considerable weight as project proponents face accusations of regulatory evasion. Critics allege that by portraying the projects as located on different streams, the owners aimed to avoid cumulative environmental scrutiny, which would assess the combined impact of both developments.
Environmental and Safety Concerns Raised by Villagers
The NGT initiated proceedings on this matter in December of last year following a plea from residents of Thunja village. The application, filed by Chandresh Kumar and social activist Rohit Singh, highlights serious concerns regarding blasting and excavation activities for head race tunnels conducted beneath the village without proper studies.
Villagers have raised alarms about the lack of assessments on slope stability, vibration impacts, and disaster risks, warning of potential threats to life, property, water security, and local wildlife. They have urgently requested the tribunal to halt all construction work, describing the terrain as unstable and accusing the project proponents of deliberate regulatory evasion to sidestep comprehensive scrutiny.
Department Clarifies Limited Role in Environmental Matters
In its affidavit, the Jal Shakti department clarified that its responsibilities are confined to safeguarding drinking water and irrigation schemes. It explicitly stated that the department does not engage in environmental appraisal, forest clearance processes, or cumulative impact assessments, distancing itself from broader ecological evaluations.
This case underscores ongoing tensions between hydroelectric development and environmental protection in Himachal Pradesh, with local communities and activists pushing for stricter adherence to regulatory frameworks to prevent ecological degradation and ensure public safety.
