Certain conditions imposed for strict compliance by JKPDC
Lays thrust on full utilization of funds kept for EMP
Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, May 5: In a major development, the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) of the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has recommended grant of Environmental Clearance to 1320 Mega Watt (MW) 2-Stage Kirthai Hydro Electric Project in Padder Tehsil of Kishtwar district with the direction to the Project Proponent (PP)—Jammu and Kashmir Power Development Corporation to ensure strict compliance to the conditions imposed by the panel.
Official sources told EXCELSIOR that the proposals for grant of Environmental Clearance to 390 Mega Watt Stage-I Kirthai Hydro Electric Project and 930 Mega Watt Stage-II Kirthai Hydro Electric Project were earlier considered in the 16th meeting of the Expert Appraisal Committee held on July 27, 2018.
“At that time, it was observed that the river course beyond Dulhasti Dam in the downstream up to Salal has already been affected due to cascade development of hydropower projects on Chenab River which has largely disturbed the propagation of fishes”, sources said.
It was further observed by the EAC that the construction of projects like present one has no specific bearing on the migration of fishes as the upstream and downstream courses are having HEPs. However, Bhut nullah will continue to be a habitat for the indigenous fish species.
“To ameliorate the negative effects of the project construction and overall improvement of the environment the management plans are formulated based on predicted impact, actual requirement and incorporating suggestions of local people and shakeholders etc”, the EAC had stated while deferring the project for seeking additional information.
In the recent meeting, the EAC examined the point-wise replies received in response to additional details sought earlier and after detailed deliberations, the Committee recommended the proposals for grant of Environmental Clearance subject to the compliance of specific conditions.
“The Environment Management Plan (EMP) should be strictly adhered to as submitted in the EIA/EMP reports and the budgetary provisions for implementation of EMP should be fully utilized and not to be diverted to any other purpose”, the EAC has mentioned in the recommendation, adding “in case of revision of the project cost or due to price level change, the cost of EMP should also be updated proportionately”.
Moreover, the EAC has stressed that environment matrix provided in EMP should be revised in case of any data change and the number and period of stocking of fish be incorporated in EMP.
“After 5 years of the commissioning of the projects, a study should be undertaken by an independent agency regarding impact of the project on the environment”, the EAC said, adding “solid waste generated, especially plastic waste, etc should not be disposed of as landfill material and it should be treated with scientific approach and recycled. Moreover, use of single-use plastics may be discouraged”.
The EAC has further recommended that land acquired for the project should be suitably compensated in accordance with the law of the land with the prevailing guidelines.
“Private land shall be acquired as per provisions of Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013”, the Committee said, adding “the Project Proponent should procure construction material only from those organizations having all valid legal/statutory clearances/permissions or necessary permission to be obtained for quarrying construction materials for the project as per the EIA Notification, 2006”.
It has stressed that an institutional mechanism should be developed to ensure preference of jobs to project affected families and also a policy for preferential treatment for award of sundry works to such families and their dependents.
“Necessary control measures such as water sprinkling arrangements and construction of paved roads leading to muck disposal sites etc shall be taken up on priority to arrest fugitive dust at all the construction sites”, the EAC said, adding “stabilization of muck disposal sites using biological and engineering measures should be taken up immediately to ensure that muck does not roll down the slopes and it does not pollute the natural streams and water bodies in surrounding areas”.
The Committee has directed the Project Proponent to submit the report on these points to the Union Environment Ministry and its Regional Office.
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