People of tribal district of Kinnaur(HP) are opposing the development of hydropower in Satluj River basin, as the state govt. is turning a blind eye towards their concerns about irreversible environmental damage and violations of tribal lands being committed by multitude hydropower projects.
Out of the 21,000 MW hydropower potential in, approximately 10,000 MW is considered to be in the Satluj basin.
If all the proposed projects on Satluj Basin, which are over 20 projects, are allowed to be constructed, then by next ten years the entire river system would be flowing inside tunnels, accentuating the impact of climate change in the valley.
Only 1261 trees were permitted for felling but state forest department itself has recorded that about 4500 trees are likely to get damaged in the project area.
Real climate change was being brought about by the construction of big dams near glaciers, reckless deforestation and muck dumping but the government considers this as clean development.
‘Clean development’ only benefit the corporate giants like JP but not the people who reside in the state.
Huge compensations are being paid to the affected families whose land comes under project but now they are realizing how the ecosystem is being effected and raising their voice against this issue. Tribal people are coming together because they have seen the change is effecting the climate which is directly effecting the APPLE farming , main source of livelihood.
This is not the problem of Himachal pradesh but also of other states where such projects are under construction and mainly the tribal people are affected by such projects as the projects are under taken in interior areas of the state leading to submerging of large land area.
A collective action is needed at local levels and national level to get noticed.
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