Why are hydropower projects in the Himalayas risky?
Hydropower project is electrical energy produced through the power of moving water.. In modern technology, hydropwer moves turbines that pass on their energy to a generator which then produces electric power. Hydropower is a type of renewable energy, and once the power plant is constructed it produces little to no waste.
In the aftermath of the devastating Kedarnath floods of 2013,
the Supreme Court had halted the development of hydropower projects in Himalayas
(Uttarakhand).
It had called on the Environment Ministry to review the role
played by hydropower projects in amplifying the natural disasters like cloud
bursts and floods.
Several expert committees were set up to examine the role of 24 such proposed hydroelectric projects in the Alaknanda and Bhagirathi basin of the river Ganga and its tributaries. The first two committees had concluded that the proposed projects could have a significant environmental impact and irreversibly impact the fragile ecology of the region.
A new committee set up in 2015 recommended the projects to be allowed with design modifications to some.
What Concerns about hydropower projects in Himalayas ?
1. Impact on the flow of Ganga river
2. Environmental impact of hydropower projects:
- The large scale deforestation exercises involved in construction leads to land degradation and desertification in the region.
- Large scale projects with large storage basins lead to submergence of large areas of land.
- The use of rock blasting and heavy machinery during the construction of power projects has damaged the fragile hills.
- The lack of scientific disposal of construction debris is leading to environmental pollution in the river basins.
3. Exacerbate the vulnerability to natural disasters:
The break in the Raunthi glacier had triggered floods in the
Rishi Ganga river in Uttarakhand and washed away at least two hydroelectric
power projects- Rishi Ganga hydroelectric power project and the Tapovan
Vishnugadh project in February, 2021.
Also the seismically active Himalayan region is prone to
earthquakes. A massive earthquake which could damage the dams can lead to flash
floods and lead to loss of life and property downstream of the dams.
4. Threat of climate change:
Environmental experts have attributed the glacial melt in
Raunthi glacier which had triggered floods in the Rishi Ganga river to global
warming.
Also the recent sixth assessment report of the IPCC has
warned of the possibility of increased instances of cloudbursts.
The increased chances of intense spells of rainfall would
trigger landslides in the region threatening the hydropower projects. This
places the residents of the region at increased risk of loss of lives and
livelihood.
What are serenity about hydropower projects in Himalayas ?
Hydropower Project is abundantly available in the Himalayan state of
Uttarakhand and its usage becomes critical to the development of the state.
Hydropower constitutes a renewable source of power and will
be critical to meet India’s obligations under its Nationally Determined
Contributions under the Paris Climate Agreement.
Need for a balance between development and environmental sustainability:
While the hydro power projects in the region have brought
prosperity, they have also increased the vulnerability of the fragile ecosystem
of the region.
Infrastructural development in the region cannot come at a
heavy environmental cost, given that such growth and development will not be
sustainable.
A balance has to be struck between development and
environmental sustainability.
Adoption of alternative strategies:
Small run-off hydro power projects with a small
environmental footprint should be promoted in the region.
Other alternatives like solar power should also be explored.
Review of policy :
The government must review its policy on hydro power
projects.
The fact that the state of Uttarakhand has its own unique
environmental challenges needs to be accounted for adequately in such a policy.
The conservation, sustenance of these ecologically fragile regions must be
given the highest priority.
The fact that the government has stated that it is not in
favour of greenfield hydropower projects in the region is a welcome move in
this regard.
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