In a major shift of stance, the Centre for the first time admitted that the hydro-power projects in Uttarakhand have overburdened the local ecology causing irreversible damage to the environment.
The Ministry of Environment, Forests and Cimate Change told the Supreme Court that hydro-projects in the Ganga-Bhagirathi and Alaknanda basins have strained the state's environment by reducing forests, increasing the chance of landslides, as well as having other geological and social consequences.
The Ministry of Environment has admitted that non-compliance with ecology rules aggravated damage in the 2013 Uttarakhand floods
Basing its opinion on the findings of the Ravi Chopra Committee report which looked into the June 2013 Uttarakhand disaster and the role of hydro-projects in the tragedy, the Ministry said non-compliance of many essential aspects like the catchment area treatment plan, muck disposal etc., in many projects had escalated the degradation.
The Ministry also said the seven rivers - Assi Ganga, jual obat birahi Ganga, Bal Ganga, Bhyunder Ganga and Dhauli Ganga - need to be maintained in a pristine state.
Upholding the committee's recommendation of keeping all areas above 2,200 metres free from hydro-projects, the Ministry noted that the carrying capacity, strategic environmental assessment and cumulative impact assessment must be undertaken before any decision on the projects is taken.
Taking note of the committee's recommendation the Ministry said: "…it is pertinent to conclude that there has been a direct and indirect impact of these projects in the aggravation of the 2013 floods."
The Ministry said it had enough information from the Wildlife Institute of India and also the committee to reject outright many of the projects.
"We still wish to give them a chance to further assess over the next 12 months," the Ministry added.
While seeking to fulfil the Government's mission of maintaining an aviral dhara (uninterrupted flow) in the river, the Government has said: "Further damage to the river and surrounding biodiversity will be detrimental in reviving and rejuvenating the Ganga river."
Given that Uttarakhand falls in Seismic Zone IV and V, the Government has sought to add more members like a seismologist, geologist, climatologist, etc to carry out a detailed study on the region.
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The Ministry of Environment, Forests and Cimate Change told the Supreme Court that hydro-projects in the Ganga-Bhagirathi and Alaknanda basins have strained the state's environment by reducing forests, increasing the chance of landslides, as well as having other geological and social consequences.
The Ministry of Environment has admitted that non-compliance with ecology rules aggravated damage in the 2013 Uttarakhand floods
Basing its opinion on the findings of the Ravi Chopra Committee report which looked into the June 2013 Uttarakhand disaster and the role of hydro-projects in the tragedy, the Ministry said non-compliance of many essential aspects like the catchment area treatment plan, muck disposal etc., in many projects had escalated the degradation.
The Ministry also said the seven rivers - Assi Ganga, jual obat birahi Ganga, Bal Ganga, Bhyunder Ganga and Dhauli Ganga - need to be maintained in a pristine state.
Upholding the committee's recommendation of keeping all areas above 2,200 metres free from hydro-projects, the Ministry noted that the carrying capacity, strategic environmental assessment and cumulative impact assessment must be undertaken before any decision on the projects is taken.
Taking note of the committee's recommendation the Ministry said: "…it is pertinent to conclude that there has been a direct and indirect impact of these projects in the aggravation of the 2013 floods."
The Ministry said it had enough information from the Wildlife Institute of India and also the committee to reject outright many of the projects.
"We still wish to give them a chance to further assess over the next 12 months," the Ministry added.
While seeking to fulfil the Government's mission of maintaining an aviral dhara (uninterrupted flow) in the river, the Government has said: "Further damage to the river and surrounding biodiversity will be detrimental in reviving and rejuvenating the Ganga river."
Given that Uttarakhand falls in Seismic Zone IV and V, the Government has sought to add more members like a seismologist, geologist, climatologist, etc to carry out a detailed study on the region.
RELATED ARTICLES
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1
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Centre vows to push river links only if plans are deemed...
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