India’s Himalayan region is seen as a potential powerhouse of the country due to its numerous water bodies and topographic suitability. According to government estimates, this region has the potential to generate a staggering 115,550 MW of hydroelectric power, with an installed capacity already at 46,850 MW. As of November 2022, the combined regions of 10 states and two Union Territories had a total of 81 large-scale hydropower projects (each with a capacity over 25 MW) and 26 more under construction. The Central Electricity Authority under Union Ministry of Power also reports 320 such projects lined up for implementation.
The Rising Frequency of Disasters Linked to Hydropower Projects
However, concerns have been raised over the increasing frequency of disasters connected to the prevalence of hydropower projects in these regions. The Himalayan valleys, despite their hydroelectric potential, are prone to landslides due to seismic activities and climatic conditions. Despite the risks, hydropower projects continue to proliferate throughout the region.
The town of Joshimath in Uttarakhand serves as an example, where over 800 buildings developed cracks due to land subsidence, prompting a construction ban in January 2023. Despite this, work on the Tapovan Vishnugad hydropower project did not halt.
The Impact of Hydropower Projects in the Himalayas
Hydropower projects in the Himalayas are increasingly associated with a surge in destructive incidents. Floods and landslides have ravaged numerous hydro-electric plants in recent years, causing severe losses not only in the form of infrastructure damage but also the loss of human lives. For instance, in 2021, a rock and ice avalanche decimated the Rishi Ganga project and significantly damaged the Vishnugad-Tapovan HEP, causing over 200 fatalities and estimated losses of Rs 1500 crore.
Government Initiatives to Address the Problem
In response to these growing concerns, the Indian government launched the National Mission on Sustaining Himalayan Ecosystem (NMSHE), a subprogram of the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC). The mission’s mandate includes devising strategies to sustain and protect the Himalayan glaciers, mountain ecosystems, and biodiversity. Alongside the program, an Environment Impact Assessment for large hydropower plants has been introduced.
Steps Towards Mitigating the Impact of Hydropower Projects
The dangers posed by landslides in the Himalayas have worsened over time, heightening the risk of hydropower projects and rendering them increasingly unsustainable. Consequently, there is an urgent need to reassess these projects based on updated scientific data. Most of the current or impending projects were conceived 10-15 years ago; hence, they should be looked at anew in light of current scientific knowledge before proceeding further.
Aside from expert reassessment, local panchayats should also approve the projects in writing, affirming their consent and willingness to bear the risks. For instance, the Ravi Chopra committee was established by the ministry to scrutinize the impact of 24 hydropower projects.
These efforts aim to integrate both scientific understanding and local consensus into the decision-making process for future hydropower projects. By doing so, the plan is to promote sustainable energy generation while minimizing the risk of environmental and human disaster in this seismically active region.
