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LATEST NEWS UPDATES | Dumping of muck by hydro power projects near rivers poses big hazard in Himachal Pradesh -Anand Bodh

Dumping of muck by hydro power projects near rivers poses big hazard in Himachal Pradesh -Anand Bodh

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published Published on Jul 3, 2013   modified Modified on Jul 3, 2013
-The Times of India


SHIMLA: Muck generated by hundreds of hydro power projects in Himachal Pradesh is being dumped along river beds, which has disturbed the natural course of major rivers in the state. With large scale construction of houses and hotels along the banks of major rivers, especially Satluj, Beas and Parbati, even a slight change in the course of these rivers could wreak havoc, like in Uttarakhand, where the government has now decided not to allow construction near river beds.

A large number of people live in houses constructed closely adjoining the river in the state and Uttarakhand-like floods can wipe out human habitation along these rivers in a matter of hours. Illegal encroachments and haphazard construction, besides illegal dumping of muck generated by some projects, have led to an alarming situation in the state, sources said.

Beas river originates from Beas Kund in Rohtang pass and right from Manali to Mandi, dense population resides along its banks. "At places like Kullu, Patlikuh, Aut and Pandoh, people have made permanent constructions, erecting walls right along the river's course. Between Aut and Pandoh, muck generated by hydel projects has been dumped, which has narrowed the course of Beas river," said Ghuman Singh, convener of Himalaya Niti Abhiyan.

"Ravi river in Chamba district too has witnessed many new towns and villages coming up along its course. During the last few years, the river course has narrowed due to dumping of muck generated by hydro power projects. During flood like situations, gushing water and muck can cause extensive damage to population downstream. In Chamba, the forest department had even imposed penalty on erring companies, but damage has already been done to the river," Singh said.

According to former IAS officer, R S Negi, dumping of muck along Satluj river has not only narrowed the original river course, but it has forced the river to change its course at places. During monsoons, Satluj remains in spate, causing massive damage to property. "Each year, Satluj causes huge damage to roads. Floods have resulted in loss a large number of human lives, in the past . It is becoming too late now," Negi observed.

Dr J C Kuniyal, senior scientist, GB Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment and Development, Mohal in Kullu, said that time has come to learn lessons from the Uttrakhand disaster. "Muck dumping along the river bed is not only posing threat to aquatic life, flora and fauna, it is also posing threat to habitation located along the rivers downstream," he said.

Kuniyal said that the muck deposited along the river banks does not have stability and during floods, mud and rock start floating, creating additional force, thus increasing the velocity of water flow. "During floods, muck dumped along the river banks would play a supporting role in causing destruction, increasing the impact of floods," he added.

Himachal Pradesh minister for urban development, town and country planning, Sudhir Sharma, said that haphazard construction, especially along river banks, in the state has become a cause of concern, especially in the wake of the Uttrakhand disaster. "To ensure that such haphazard construction does not take place along the river course, strict measures would be taken so that construction takes place at a safe distance from the rivers. The government will bring in a bill in the coming monsoon session of the state assembly to regulate construction activity across the state. Unplanned construction activity needs to be checked so that planned development takes place across the state," Sharma said.

Major flood disasters

July 1973: Blockage of Satluj river due to rock fall at Nathpa had formed a lake. Later, a breach in it damaged Sanjay Power House, resulting in loss of around Rs 4.5 crore.

January 1975: An earthquake caused blockage in Satluj basin at two places in Spiti valley, resulting in formation of a 60m-high 150m-long lake. Two months later, a breach in the lake caused flashfloods in Spiti valley.

September 1988: A cloudburst caused flashfloods in Soldang Khad in Kinnaur, causing massive damage to human life and property downstream, including 2 km national highway along Soldang Khad, in which 32 people were killed and 15 houses damaged.

July and August 2, 1991: A 1,500m road stretch of national highway-22 in Spiti valley was damaged due to flashfloods and landslides in Maling nalla. It caused damage to agricultural land in Leo village of Kinnaur, located downstream.

September 1995: Flashfloods in Beas river in Kullu district caused damage to public and private property. Besides killing 65 people, it caused losses of around Rs 76 crore.

August 1997: Around 124 people were killed after flashfloods hit Andhra Khad of Pabbar valley of Shimla district, which also damaged a power house.

August 2000: Flashfloods in Kinnaur district. With unprecedented rise in Satluj river right from Khab to downstream areas, massive damage was witnessed. Around 200 km of NH-22 suffered extensive damage while 22 bridges were washed away. Loss was calculated at around Rs 1,450 crore.

July 2001: Cloudburst in Sain area of Kullu district resulted in flashfloods affecting over 6,500 people in the area.

June 2005: A breach in Parchoo lake in China resulted in rise of water levels in Satluj river, causing huge damage downstream. Around three dozen big and small bridges were washed away and loss to property was calculated at around Rs 600 crore.

July 2005: Flashfloods in Pabbar and Baspa rivers resulted in huge losses, calculated at around Rs 560 crore.

June 2013: Flashfloods in Kinnaur district and other parts of Himachal caused losses of around Rs 2,500 crore to private and public property, besides loss of human life.


The Times of India, 3 July, 2013, http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/pollution/Dumping-of-muck-by-hydro-power-projects-near-rivers-poses-big-hazard-in-Himachal-Pradesh/articleshow/208


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