The Uttarakhand Jal Vidyut Nigam limited (UJVNl) has reiterated its commitment to constructing small hydro-power projects with up to 2 MW capacity in accordance with the notification of the Bhagirathi eco-sensitive zone.
This and various other aspects including zonal master plans prepared by various departments were discussed at the Bhagirathi eco-sensitive zone monitoring committee meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Shatrughna Singh here on Saturday. As per the notification, the departments have categorised their activities into three categories-prohibited, regulated and permitted.
The UJVNl representative made a presentation on small hydro power projects. It was stated that 70 per cent work of the Asiganga hydro power project had been completed when it was devastated in the disaster. This project needs to be reconstructed.
The corporation reiterated its commitment to construction of small hydro power projects with up to 2 MW capacity in compliance with standards set in the notification. Officials informed that temporary bridle paths will be made, no one will be displaced, nobody’s rights will be infringed upon and preference will be accorded in employment to the local residents in addition to which the services of ecological and environmental experts will also be put to use. A presentation was also made on the Swarigad, Pilangad and limchagad small hydro power projects.
The Forest Department presented the plan for ensuring protection of the 4105.91 square kilometers forest area in the Bhagirathi eco sensitive zone.
The various types of forests, wildlife species, description of water sources and a master plan for conservation of natural heritage sites were among the other issues raised by the Forest department.
Various activities and places like the bugyals, lakes, religious places, adventure trekking route, mountaineering place, mountain peaks, traditional rights of the local residents, saw machine and construction of residential building among others have been categorised into prohibited, regulated and permitted categories.
Other departmental officials also raised the issue of relaxation in prohibition in the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana on use of coal tar on road more than 5 kms long and construction of road on more than 20 degree gradient. It was stated that currently, work is being undertaken for connecting villages with populations of more than 500 but the prohibitions have made the successful completion of this work impossible, said the officials.
Officials of the Tourism department informed that about 1,32,683 domestic and 418 foreign tourists had visited the Bhagirathi eco sensitive zone in 2014.
Presentation was also made on tourist rest houses, toilets, parking and other basic facilities for tourists. Officials also informed that the tourism facilitation is linked to the livelihood of the local people.
The Agriculture department official spoke on issues of the prevention of soil erosion, avoiding the use of chemical fertilisers and encouraging organic and traditional agricultural practices.
The Irrigation department sought permission for the operation and maintenance of the 90 MW Maneri Bhali-I and 120 MW Maneri Bhali II hydro power projects. The chief secretary directed that a meeting of the Bhagirathi ESZ monitoring committee be held again after 15 days. In this meeting, all the departments will present valid proposals based on which recommendation can be made for amendments in the impractical points of the notification, he said.
Environmentalist Ravi Chopra of the People’s Science Institute, principal secretary, Forest, S Ramaswamy, principal chief conservator of forests Veena Sekhri, former PCCF Raghu Bir Singh Rawat, Tourism secretary Shailesh Bagauli and Uttarkashi district magistrate Vinay Shankar Pandey were also among those present in the meeting.