Bhilangana valley Hydroelectric Power projects

PARVATIYA LOKVIKAS SAMITI
Regd. office: 26P/66B, Street No. 39/7, Indra Park, New Delhi- 110045
Phone No. 011-228034334Mob. No. 9350875252, 9810610400
(Regd. under Societies Registration Act 1860)
E mail- plsngo2005@gmail.com
Regional Off: Shastri sadan, Village-Rishidhaar,P.O. Ghuttu, Bhilangana Valley,Distt. Tehri Garhwal, Uttarakhand, India. Pin-249155

24.06.2010
To
Dr.Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ji
Hon’ble Chief Minister of Uttarakhand

Subject: Regarding public resentment/confusion/fear/ over eight Hydroelectric power projects on Bhilangana River in the most neglected Bhilangana valley, Tehri Garhwal, Uttarakhand.

Shriman,
Bhilangana valley is one of the most backward and neglected area of District Tehri Garhwal. But it is a matter of surprise that suddenly eight Hydroelectric Power projects (HEPs) have come up in the most backward area. This is not the welfare of the masses of this backward region but the benefit of the owner of Hydroelectric power companies and may be the officials/ contractors involved in it. In this region Government is always failed to do developmental work even in the past after the independence of our country. But in the past, it was considered a pious and famous place because this is the region where people of around the world used to go to great Shrine Kedarnath Dham because this is the only famous way to go there. The great saints of our country visited in this region. This whole region is famous for Khatling Glacier, Triyugi Narayan, Sahasra tal, Panwali Kantha, Matya Bugiyal, Mayali Top, Masori Tal and remote village, Gangi. The glacier is surrounded by snow peaks of Jogin Groups (6466 m), Sphetic Prtistar (6905) Kirti Stambh (6902m)and Meru. The moraines on the side of the glacier look like standing walls of gravel mud. One can imagine the significant of the high altitude Himalayan region and its richness in bio-diversity.
The great son of this region, Hindao Patti, Village Akhori, late Indramani Badoni, tried to bring past cultural and religious glory through historical Khatling Mahayatra so that people could realize the significant of the region. Those days’ people visited Khatling glacier and organized culture programme with local masses every year in Bhilangana Valley. But unfortunately government is totally failed to keep the khatling yatra tradition intact in a big way. The spirit of the yatra has also come down.
We also on the behalf of our NGO Parvatiya Lokvikas Samiti, constantly makes efforts to bring sustainable development in the whole region. Sh. Surya Prakash has written so many articles in the magazine to strengthen the commitment to revive the glory and development of the Bhilangana valley. We also advocate starting development process up to Gangi-Khatling-Panwali-Kedarnath on the basis of sustainable approach. We are also looking forward to construct road up to Gangi so that they can also come forward to be a part of mainstream and whole area should be protected from the Chinese intrusion in future. We have taken initiative just after news published in the Times of India during July-August, 2008 and Lt. Gen. (Retd.) T.P.S. Rawat, M.P. (Pauri , Uttarakhand) have replied dated 11 August 2008 in this direction. (Copy attached) But we always believe that destruction in the name of development should be stopped to the large extent.
It is strange that government is not even to listen the plight of the common masses in this region. They did not take any concrete step after the news of Chinese intruders in the Indian boundaries in khatling glacier region. But people are not happy for these hydroelectric power projects because according to the people government do not listen any things from the common masses. It is a matter of surprise that there is no any board for display the name of hydroelectric company or name of the project with other detail like total amount etc in Bhilangna Valley.
It is great surprise that few more Hydroelectric Power Projects are planning to construct in the Bhilangna valley by Danda Mundi Co. Ltd. Of Andhra Pradesh, according to the news published in daily News Papers dated 13.06.2010 and Sh. Ratan Singh Gunsola, retired Engineer, Tehri Zila Panchayat Adhyaksh , in his statement in seminar at Ghuttu on 12 th, June, 2010. The descriptions of proposed Hydroelectric Power Projects are given below:-
1. Kharsoli,( 3110 mtrs, 11 mw), Kharsoli is situated in the area of high altitude which is surrounded by lush green meadows with oak ,conifers forests different type of herbs and medicinal flowers . This is an ecologically sensitive areas and minor disturbance can cause heavy damage to the ecology of khatling glacier. Construction of any kind of Hydroelectric Power project is dangerous for the high altitude. The area of kharsoli is almost covered with snow in the winter season. Even human presence is also enhancing the disturbance of the high altitude. Keeping above facts in mind, the idea of construction anything should be dropped without fail.
2. Birode (25 MW, 2800-3000 mtrs) is situated between Kalyani to Kharsoli, this is a open place from where one can go Sahasratal. This is the traditional place for meeting Gangi villagers and villagers of Bhilangana valley. This is not the right place of construction even a small concrete structure of any kind. This is as sensitive as Kharsoli. The serenity and calmness of these places should not be disturbed because these places give life to the rest of the world and earth.
3. Kalyani,( 2800 mtrs 25 mw),This is also situated in a sensitive place of bio-diversity. The whole area from Reeh-Gangi village-kalyani is full of lush and dense forest of kharsu-Oak etc. The whole forest cover is the rich and perennial source of recharging water which should not be disturbed at all in the era of Environment degradation around the world. This kind of rich places can be a hope of sustainability of life on earth for the coming generation.
4. Reeh (25 MW),Reeh is the place before Gangi village. The road is already constructed up to the Reeh. The remote area after Devling should be protected and try to save the bio-diversity of these places. The protection of environment in the remote areas is the key requirement of these days to save the earth; this cannot be ignored while planning any project.
5. Devling (25 MW,almost constructed)),Devling Hydroelectric Power Project is almost completed. The villagers are not very satisfied with the progress of Devling (HEP). We have discussed with people on the spot while visiting the affected villages from 19.06.2010 t0 22.06.2010. The description of bad affect are given below due to blasting or construction of Hydroelectric Power Project:-
a) According to Gram Pradhan of Mendu village, Sh. Madan Singh Panwar, there are so many cracks on the walls of houses in the villages. He took us to see the houses and we have taken photographs of the affected houses in the village (see the cracks pics). According to Gram Pradhan, traditional sources of water, Devta ka dhara has dried up due to the blasting and constant heavy noises of the construction near the village.
b) The traditional natural water resources of the following villages, i.e Devling,Niswali Bhatgaon, Chakragaon, Maletha, Uina, Chandla,Unkawangaon,Panali,Bagar nearly dried up due to construction of Tunnel by Devling Hydroelectric power project. The blasting under rocks is the main cause of this disaster in the region according to the villagers. But no body including Bhilangana Hydroelectric Power Limited (BHPL) or is not ready to listen the plight of the common masses. According to the BHPL, there is not a single water resource has been dried up due to the blasting etc. But we have visited in the above villages and took the photographs, during our visit in the above villages, people told the story of destruction of natural resources (dhare). There as a huge water resource in the village Chandla, (Jagdi ka Dhara) has dried up (see the photos of water dried) During our visit at Devling site, Sh. Prasad, Senior Executive, refused to accept the above stories of destruction of water resources in the above villages and he further said due the Global Warming, the water resources have dried up. His point of view is right, but he did not accept that due global warming river can be dried up in coming future. Sh. Prasad has given us an answer of the great problem of water crisis/hydroelectric power project because when the small resources can be affected due to global warming then what about the river or hydroelectric power project? This should be examined deeply or carefully so that solution can be found. We humble request Uttarakhand Government of Central Government that rest of the Hydel project proposed in the Bhilangana valley should be dropped and stop further destruction of nature. In this direction Sh. Rattan Singh Gunsola, retired Engineer, Zila Panchyat Adhyaksh, has given a formula that after the altitude of 5000 feet no hydel project should be constructed in Bhilangna valley after Devling Hydel Project.
6. Kanjari(25 mw),
7. Dhopardhar (25 MW),
8. Ranigarh( 25MW)
9. PoKhaar (25 MW), the hydro electric power projects no. 6 to 9 are also in the process of construction or under consideration in Bhilangana region. Basically people are not very much against of the hydroelectric power projects but government is not even to listen their plight and problem at all that is the reason people raise their voice against the government. During the 17-25 March, the local based Social Organisation, Bhilangana kshetra Vikas Samiti and Bhilangna Samagra Vikash Manch have sent letters to almost all higher authority including PM, CM, Governor and President and so on but unfortunately not a single authority has been replied as yet. This kind of attitude is the main reason of resentment among the masses of the local villages which are partially or fully affected from the hydro electric power project. The local people have some complaints/resentment/suggestions:
1. About 13 shamshan ghat/murda ghat (creamation place) of almost 29 villages will be badly affected due lack of water after the diversion of water in the tunnel. The villagers will not perform the ritual and other religious acts during the funeral of dead body due to lack of water. Apart from this Snanghar/ghat (bathing place) and Gharat (water mills) will be affected according to villagers and local Orgnaisastion like Ghuttu Bhilang JanVikas Evam Jan Samasya Nivaran Samiti. The Gram Pradhan and local Organisation have signed MOU for the solutions of above problem but little has done practically in this direction. This kind of religious and sentimental aspect is totally neglected during the drafting of Detail Project Report and Public Hearing before initiating the project. This is one of the main causes of resentment of the common masses.
2. The Uttarakhand Jal Vidyut Nigam, Bhilangna Hydro Power Ltd, Poliplex co. Ltd, and Danda Mundi Co. Ltd. Andhra Pradesh are not prepared to organize proper Public Hearing (Jan Sunwai) according to the rules and regulations. The Danda Mundi Co. Ltd. is going to construct all hydroelectric power projects after Devling Hydroelectric power Project according to the all popular news paper dated 13.06.2010.
3. The whole cracks in the Houses of the villages those affected due to construction of Hydroelectric power project should be examined in order to establish the truth of the day. It is strange the Authority of hydroelectric power project do not agree with the above facts of cracks in the Houses due to blast. It should be made clear whether Villagers are right or the BHPL. Otherwise the confusion is going on.

This is a serious matter in front of us living on the earth. We need development and progress but this kind of confusion and stubborn kind of attitude can disturb the common masses. It is just impossible to fight against the Government Authority but this is not a battle between common masses and Government. The is the matter of cooperation and co-existence. The time has come to discuss the whole aspect of development. The purpose of hydroelectric power project and utilization of electricity by the urban facilities should be discussed openly. In the Rural area the supply of electricity is always far lesser than the urban area special in the high profile areas, this kind of aspect should be discussed while preparing any project. The confidence of common masses should be intact.
· We appeal Government of Uttarakhand and Central Government along with the people of our great country to come forward to discuss the every aspect of construction Hydro Electric Power Projects in Bhilangana Valley, Ghuttu, Distt. Tehri Garhwal, Uttarakhand. We also request Hon’ble Chief Minister and other Ministers to come forward to discuss every each and aspect of common masses.
· We also request to the all Citizen of India including the Government of India that the time has come to take action in the direction of production of electricity-utilization-protection of nature as a whole. In big cities We use Escalators for even first floor and we should always think that for enhancement of facilities in the cities we need electric energy and for the fulfilling the demand, we go for hydroelectric power project in the Himalaya region and we don’t discuss the consequences in detail. We can generate electricity but human being is not able to create 1 sq. cm. of natural environment as nature can create. It should be our main objective to save Himalaya and its natural habitat and on the cost of its destruction we should not go ahead to do any project to enhance the facilities of daily life. Man can alive with minimum facilities of the life but it is beyond the imagination to live without the environment even for few seconds or minutes. These only facts reveal the power and supremacy of human being.
· First of all we should all fully utilize the already available hydroelectric power project in the entire country before planning to construct new project. In 2009, the South Asia Network on Dams, Rivers & People conducted a study of 208 large Hydro Electricity Project (HEPs) and found that 89 per cent were operating below capacity and about half generated less than 50 per cent on the planned power output. Economist Bharat Jhunjhunwala, who as conducted a cost-benefit analysis of dams says, “Hydropower sometimes looks a cheaper and greener option because the social costs are not factored into the costs. (H. T., 17.06.2010) It is a matter of debate that still the world famous Tehri Dam is not able to generate electricity it full strength and water level is always below the full capacity. Government should give explanation to the nation about the above facts in order to intact the confidence among the masses. According to a 2009 government list, 558 dams are under construction or being surveyed in the Uttarakhand state. Their fears and concern Comtroller and Auditor General (CAG) report. The report is severely critical of the bumper-to-bumper dams and state that large stretches of the river will dry up if these hydroelectric power projects (HEP) are built.
· The proposed any Hydroelectric power Project above the Devling should be dropped in order to protect the rich and irrecoverable bio-diversity in the high altitude of Himalayan region around Khatling Glacier of Tehri Garhwal, Uttarakhand. It is strange that government on the one hand banned any human activity in the Nanda Devi Bio-Sphere & Nanda Devi santuray and on the other hand government is going to construct a hydroelectric power project in the same altitude.
Thanking you
Ramesh Kumar Mumukshu , ramumukshu@gmail.com
National Gen, Secy.& RTI Activist 9810610400, 9456527232 (Utt.)