Prof. GD Agarwal, 76, a noted environmentalist and retired professor, IIT Kanpur, started a fast-unto-death agitation on June 13, 2008 to oppose the construction of Hydel power projects on Ganga (Bhagirathi) between Gangotri glacier and Uttarkashi. The purpose of the agitation is to save the Ganga from the aggressive onslaught of strings of dams and hydel projects in Uttarakhand.
Just to introduce, Dr. Agarwal has worked in the capacity of
(i) Design Engineer, Central Designs Directorate, Irrigation Department, U.P.
(ii) Professor & Head, Civil (and Environmental) Engg. Deptt IIT, Kanpur, U.P.
(iii) Member Secretary, Central Pollution Control Board, Delhi,
(iv) EIA Expert
The Uttarakhand state government had planned a series of hydel projects between Uttar kashi and Gangotri, a distance of 150 km.
- 480 MW Pala Maneri
- 381 MW Bhairon Ghati
- 200 MW Jad Ganga
- 600 MW Lohari Nagpala
The agitation appears to be logical considering some of the key facts
- The Himalayan region being, a seismically sensitive & quake prone area and a terrain being full of sedimentary rocks, must be treated differently when compared to other hydropower projects
- The preservation of the fragile ecological balance of this region must be given a priority considering its religious and tourism importance
- The huge ecological footprint of projects in this area and its LONG TERM impact on the overall flow of Ganga through northern India must be considered
- the actual success of the dams is questionable in view of the 'silt depositing' nature of Ganga & other Himalayan rivers. e.g.
o Repeated closing of Nathpa-Jhakri Dam on Satluj in Himachal Pradesh 4 years after its commission
o Environmentalists claiming that the Tehri dam, supposed to generate 1000 MW of power, is generating only 100 MW
- The World Wildlife Foundation has declared Ganga to be one of the ‘top ten rivers at risk’ in the world. Further, in 2007, the UN Climate Report indicated that the glaciers feeding the Ganga may disappear by 2030.
The BJP government in Uttarakhand finally bowed to the pressure and has temporarily scrapped the plans of building the Pala Maneri and Bhairon Ghati dams. However, as the work for Lohari Nagpala dam is already underway, on the decision of continuance of the dam, the state government put the ball in the Central Government’s court. The construction work of the Jad Ganga project in yet be commenced.
The union power ministry, on 28th June 2008, decided not to suspend the 600 MW Lohari Nagpala hydroelectric project being undertaken by the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC). The union minister of state for power, Jayram Ramesh said the NTPC has already spent Rs 300 crore on Lohari Nagpala project and there was no question of stopping the project.
Dr Agrawal is now seeking the closure of the Rs 2,800 crore Pala Maneri project saying it would completely cage the holy Bhagirathi river in its 13.5 km long tunnel. He has now decided continue his fast in New Delhi to put pressure on the Central government.
It may be noted that Uttarakhand has a significant hydro-potential of 15,000 MW, out of which only 10% has been tapped, the way out could to adopt a central path i.e. Alternate sources of power like nuclear, thermal or solar power could be explored. Besides, potential of some of the smaller rivers in the region could be harnessed, without causing SIGNIFICANT changes in their flow. There seems a contentious absence of national level media on an important issue like this.
Though, the shelving two dams comes as a victory to the environmentalists fighting for the cause, the efforts must be continued to keep the agitation alive against the Lohari Nagpala dam. A thorough review of the planned development should be undertaken and any alterations in the size, design or structure could be considered so as to prevent any further damage to the ecology and sustain the economic interests as well.
You can click the below link to file an online petition to support the cause highlighted by Prof. GD Agarwal on his fast-unto-death Satyagraha, as it enters its 18th day now.
www.petitiononline.com/tpsy2008/petition.html
Just to introduce, Dr. Agarwal has worked in the capacity of
(i) Design Engineer, Central Designs Directorate, Irrigation Department, U.P.
(ii) Professor & Head, Civil (and Environmental) Engg. Deptt IIT, Kanpur, U.P.
(iii) Member Secretary, Central Pollution Control Board, Delhi,
(iv) EIA Expert
The Uttarakhand state government had planned a series of hydel projects between Uttar kashi and Gangotri, a distance of 150 km.
- 480 MW Pala Maneri
- 381 MW Bhairon Ghati
- 200 MW Jad Ganga
- 600 MW Lohari Nagpala
The agitation appears to be logical considering some of the key facts
- The Himalayan region being, a seismically sensitive & quake prone area and a terrain being full of sedimentary rocks, must be treated differently when compared to other hydropower projects
- The preservation of the fragile ecological balance of this region must be given a priority considering its religious and tourism importance
- The huge ecological footprint of projects in this area and its LONG TERM impact on the overall flow of Ganga through northern India must be considered
- the actual success of the dams is questionable in view of the 'silt depositing' nature of Ganga & other Himalayan rivers. e.g.
o Repeated closing of Nathpa-Jhakri Dam on Satluj in Himachal Pradesh 4 years after its commission
o Environmentalists claiming that the Tehri dam, supposed to generate 1000 MW of power, is generating only 100 MW
- The World Wildlife Foundation has declared Ganga to be one of the ‘top ten rivers at risk’ in the world. Further, in 2007, the UN Climate Report indicated that the glaciers feeding the Ganga may disappear by 2030.
The BJP government in Uttarakhand finally bowed to the pressure and has temporarily scrapped the plans of building the Pala Maneri and Bhairon Ghati dams. However, as the work for Lohari Nagpala dam is already underway, on the decision of continuance of the dam, the state government put the ball in the Central Government’s court. The construction work of the Jad Ganga project in yet be commenced.
The union power ministry, on 28th June 2008, decided not to suspend the 600 MW Lohari Nagpala hydroelectric project being undertaken by the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC). The union minister of state for power, Jayram Ramesh said the NTPC has already spent Rs 300 crore on Lohari Nagpala project and there was no question of stopping the project.
Dr Agrawal is now seeking the closure of the Rs 2,800 crore Pala Maneri project saying it would completely cage the holy Bhagirathi river in its 13.5 km long tunnel. He has now decided continue his fast in New Delhi to put pressure on the Central government.
It may be noted that Uttarakhand has a significant hydro-potential of 15,000 MW, out of which only 10% has been tapped, the way out could to adopt a central path i.e. Alternate sources of power like nuclear, thermal or solar power could be explored. Besides, potential of some of the smaller rivers in the region could be harnessed, without causing SIGNIFICANT changes in their flow. There seems a contentious absence of national level media on an important issue like this.
Though, the shelving two dams comes as a victory to the environmentalists fighting for the cause, the efforts must be continued to keep the agitation alive against the Lohari Nagpala dam. A thorough review of the planned development should be undertaken and any alterations in the size, design or structure could be considered so as to prevent any further damage to the ecology and sustain the economic interests as well.
You can click the below link to file an online petition to support the cause highlighted by Prof. GD Agarwal on his fast-unto-death Satyagraha, as it enters its 18th day now.
www.petitiononline.com/tpsy2008/petition.html
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