HP cancels several hydel projects to save environment

The Himachal Pradesh government has shelved several big and small hydroelectric projects of 425 MW capacity in the wake of environmental dangers posed by it, Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh said on Tuesday.

Almost all hydro-electric projects in Tirthan valley of Kullu district will be cancelled to save the trout fish, an important part of the ecological system in the region. Besides, several other projects in Kinnaur district for the conservation of 'bhojpatra' forest in the area have also been cancelled, Singh said.

Addressing a function on the World Environment Day, the CM said that it had been made mandatory for every hydro- electric execution authority to obtain a no objection certificate from the local panchayats before undertaking execution work of the alloted project.

Stating that environment protection was top priority of his government, the chief minister pledged to take all safeguards to preserve and conserve the fragile environment of the Himalayan region.

Singh said that the state's initiative to constitute a separate department to look after environmental activities in the state, a first in the country, has been lauded at international level.

Effective steps are being taken to check pollution caused by industrialisation and ensure adoption of ecologically safe modes for disposal of solid waste of the towns and hospitals, the chief minister added.