The state government’s demand to “exempt” Chenab river basin from mandatory Cumulative Impact Assessment Study (CIAS) for proposed hydel projects on it and its tributaries has received stiff opposition from environment activists.
Concerned over the degradation of fragile ecology, the Jispa-Darcha Bachao Sangarsh Samiti and several other organizations from Lahaul have written a letter to the ministry, appealing that no hydel project be allowed on the Chenab river basin.
The letter raises severe objections and expressed disappointment at chief minister Prem Kumar Dhumal’s request to the ministry, asking to “exempt” the Chenab river basin from the process of mandatory CIAS. The basin falls largely in the high altitude region (above 2,500m) of the state in the Lahaul-Spiti district. The area is characterized by difficult terrain, fragile and loose mountains prone to avalanches and landslides and also falls in seismic zone-IV.
Via: TOI
