Several Panchayat representatives from Udaipur sub-division of Lahaul and Spiti district have strongly opposed commissioning of new hydro power projects in the district, raising environmental concerns.
The representatives, who held a meeting under the banner of The Lahaul Spiti Ekta Manch, have also decided to hold a protest rally at Udaipur on May 23 .
President of the Manch, Sudarshan Jaspa said, “The Panchayat representatives blew a trumpet against starting of about a one and a half dozen big hydropower projects proposed on Chenab basin of Lahaul valley”.
He said , “ The state government has proposed to start Jispah 300MW, Stingari 98MW, Chhatru 120MW, Mayad 120MW, Tandi 104MW, Rashel 130MW, Seli 400MW, Shanling 44MW, Teling 94MW, Bardang 126MW, Tingret 81MW, Gondhla 144MW, Koksar 90MW, Raholi Dugli 420 MW, Purthi 300MW, Sach Khas 260 MW and Dugar 380 MW etc spanning in the district . “
Jaspa said, “The state government has recently signed a MOU with Telangana government for 120 MW Mayad power project and 400 MW Seli power project, in utter disregard to opposition of local residents to the projects and opinion of experts.”
He said, “The area being geographical sensitive, climate, ecology and tribal rights of the people of lahaul will be seriously affected; besides eviction of local people from their fertile land.”
