The Central Government of India has recently mandated that no new hydropower projects will be authorized in the upper reaches of the Ganga. This regulation, intended to preserve the health of the river, also holds that all sanctioned projects must adhere to environmental regulations prescribing a minimum ongoing flow in the river throughout the year.
The Seven Permitted Hydropower Projects
Seven hydropower projects have been given permission to continue construction due to their progress being more than halfway completed. All these projects are located in Uttarakhand:
1. Tehri Stage 2: This is a 1000 MW project on the Bhagirathi River.
2. Tapovan Vishnugadh: This 520 MW project is on the Dhauliganga River.
3. Vishnugadh Pipalkoti: Set on the Alaknanda River, this project boasts 444 MW.
4. Singoli Bhatwari: This 99 MW project is on the Mandakini River.
5. Phata Bhuyang: A 76 MW project on the Mandakini River.
6. Madhyamaheshwar: A much smaller 15 MW project located on the Madhyamaheshwar Ganga.
7. Kaliganga 2: The smallest of the seven, this project offers 6 MW and is situated on the Kaliganga river.
Concerns and Issues
Various activist groups have raised concerns about these ongoing projects. Specifically, the Singoli Bhatwari and Phata Bhuyang projects have faced criticism due to their association with the Kedarnath Tragedy of 2013. There are further concerns about the Vishnugadh project, which was damaged in the February 2021 floods. This flood resulted in the death of more than 200 people, citing the lack of a Disaster Warning System as a major contributing factor. The heavy construction involved in these projects is suspected of making the already fragile Himalayan region more prone to environmental disasters.
Himalayan Hydropower Projects and Their Challenges
Several key challenges threatening the Himalayan hydropower projects include:
1. Decreasing Stability: Factors like glacier retreat and permafrost thaw are projected to destabilize mountain slopes and expand glacier lake areas. Permafrost thawing triggers the release of methane, a potent greenhouse gas, promoting a vicious cycle of global warming.
2. Climate Change: Climate change has triggered erratic weather patterns, including increased snowfall and rainfall. Ice’s thermal profile is changing, getting warmer and thus more prone to melting.
3. Increase in Calamitic Instances: The escalating frequency of avalanches, cloudbursts, and intense rainfall puts locals at a high risk of losing lives and livelihoods.
National Initiative to Preserve the Himalayan Ecosystem
The National Mission on Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem (NMSHE) is one of eight initiatives under the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC). Its core mandate is to formulate measures that preserve Himalayan glaciers, mountain ecosystems, biodiversity, and wildlife.
The Way Forward
It is recommended that no hydropower development should be permitted above an elevation of 2,200 meters in the Himalayan region. As we consider population growth and necessary industrial and infrastructural development, it becomes clear that hydropower development is crucial to sustainable economic growth. However, it is imperative that this development follows eco-friendly procedures and guidelines.
