Clearance by advisory committee on forests , union government for construction of 120 Megawatt capacity Hydropower project in Uttarakhand

SUNIL NEGI

In Uttarakhand despite prevailing risks of ecological disasters and incessant demand by the environmentalist for small and run of the river low capacity Hydro Power Projects to avoid colossal losses during ecological disasters and loss of massive human lives the advisory committee of forests under the jurisdiction of the Union government has given a green signal for construction of 120 Megawatt capacity Hydropower Project on Gori Ganga. Gori Ganga is the river located in Munshiari tehsil of Pithoragarh district in Uttarakhand which originates from Milan glacier , just North East of Nanda Devi flowing through the Milan valley. During ancient times this valley also known as Johar Valley was used as a trade route to Tibet. The chief minister of Uttarakhand Pushkar Singh Dhami has expressed his gratefulness to prime minister Narendra Modi for getting through this long pending project. This project is being executed by the Bhyol Roopsiyabagad power project. It is being said that this over ambitious long pending hydropower project to be built on 29,997 hectares forest land has been accorded the clearance by the forest and water resources ministry on Monday. The architectural design of this project in view of the fragile environmental implications has been prepared with special care keeping all the sensitive environmental aspects into consideration. Those connected with the project claim that in view of its merely one kilometre tunnel and majority of the project being underground there won’t be any adverse impact to forests and the forest land overground. There is no eco – zone, national park or wild life sanctuary including human habitats on the project area therefore there will be no harm to human beings claims the project constructors. The chief minister Dhami has claimed that this hydropower project being built in the border areas will be an outstanding step forward on the way to development in the border precincts for the good and well being of the people at large.. Jubilant CM said this project will be a milestone for the enlightened future of the state.