MoEF to commission environmental impact of Bhagirathi, Alaknanda hydel projects

The ministry of environment and forests has decided to commission IIT Roorkee and Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, to conduct an environmen assessment impact, as part of the feasibility of  of the proposed hydro electric projects on Bhagirathi and Alaknanda rivers in Uttarakhand.

So far, a review of environmental impact assessments of individual hydro electric projects have been made on a stand-alone basis.

In view of the series of hydro electric projects planned, under implementation or operational on the Bhagirathi and Alaknanda rivers, the environement ministry has decided that a comprehensive study should be undertaken on the likely cumulative impact of the projects on the flow and character of the river.

The study would is aimed at determining the requirement of minimum flow from the proposed and already commissioned hydro-electric projects on the entire stretch of these two rivers.

The ministry also feels that cumulative environmental impact of various hydro-electric projects on the riverine eco system, in general, and terrestrial and aquatic biodiversity, in particular, along with a review of the effectiveness of the mitigative measures and compliance of the stipulated conditions on which various projects have earlier been cleared needs to be undertaken.

Accordingly, it has tasked the forest conservation division in the environment ministry commission the study involving the Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun and other appropriate institutions with special knowledge and practical experience in the field of terrestrial, aquatic flora and fauna and biodiversity.