Noted social activist Medha Patkar demanded that environmental impact assessment (EIA) should also be carried out for the power projects below 25 megawatts capacity. She raised a question as to why the EIA was not necessary for the projects below 25 megawatt capacity under environmental laws. It should be made mandatory for the projects of all capacity.
After making a visit to the disaster-affected areas, including Joshimath, she said that pushing Uttarakhand into dark by showing flash of light was a crime. She said, “There should also be EIA for the power projects below 25 megawatts capacity.”
Patkar said that the disaster was partially Government made and partially natural as in the name of development, interests of the nature were ignored. Had the interests of the nature- Rivers, jungles and jameen - been taken care of, the scene would have been different. “I call the disaster, partially natural and partially Government made since it ignored the interests of the nature for bringing up the power projects,” Patkar said.
After hitting out at the State Government, she turned towards the measures required to for ensuring development in the state. She laid emphasis on rethinking over concept of development for the State.
She also demanded that a thorough probe should be carried out to find out the impact on environment caused by construction of dams on the rivers for the power projects.