Public hearing for environmental clearance of Bursar Project held

Excelsior Correspondent
KISHTWAR, Sept 25:  State Pollution Control Board conducted public hearing under the chairmanship of Angrez Singh Rana, District Development Commissioner Kishtwar, for environmental clearance of 800 MW Burasur Project to be constructed by NHPC on river Marusudar near village Tiller (Changer) in Marwah tehsil.
People from  Nawapachi, Rarr, Changer, Dhehrana, Hanzal Machhana, Yourdu, Pathgam, Satrawgan, Kedrana, Hynen, Dehrai etc participated in the hearing.
Dr. Yashpaul, senior Scientist, Head Labs and State Board Analyst from SPCB  made the general public aware about the importance of public hearing and role of Pollution Control Board for conducting such hearings as per Environment Impact Assessment Notification of MoEF, Govt of India.
He said the mandate of public hearing is to seek the public opinion of project affected areas and their issues and concerns on the project.
Many speakers  raised their issues and concerns on establishment of Bursar project which were recorded videograpically for the observation and examination by the panel of experts of MoEF. Some of the speakers expressed their concerns with regard to the height of dam and creation of employment opportunities, compensation for the project affected areas in particular and for Marwah in general.
General Manager NHPC, P K Langer clarified the queries on different aspects of the project raised by the speakers. The environmental consultants from Kashmir University, General Manager NHPC (Environment) from corporate office, Dr.  Shahid Ali Khan briefed the audience with regard to the Environment Management Plan (EMP) including Rehabilitation and Resettlement Plan for the project affected area.
DDC Angrez Singh Rana  assured the people  that all their views and concerns will be submitted to MoEF for  consideration.