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| Kiru hydroelectric project likely to spell geological, environmental devastation in Doda, Kishtwar | | Is anybody listening? | | Syed Junaid Hashmi
JAMMU, July 6: An environment impact assessment study of 660 MW Kiru Hydroelectric Project conducted by RS Envirolink Technologies Private Limited in association with University of Jammu has amplified fears of erstwhile District Doda being on the verge of a major geological and environmental devastation.
The report, a copy of which is available with Early Times, has given an in-depth account of large scale destruction of flora and fauna in the areas surrounding proposed site for the construction of 660 MW Kiru Hydroelectric Project by Chenab Valley Power Projects Limited (CVPPL), a joint venture of JKSPDC, NHPC and Power Trading Corporation (PTC). According to the report, seismicity of area is such that it could be a source of major Kangra type earthquake.
It could also cause smaller, more frequent earthquakes (magnitude of 6 to 6.5 with 100 year return period) restricted to the thrust ramp that plunges northwards. The normal east Kishtwar fault could generate earthquakes with shallower hypocenters (10-15 Km) particularly right under the site. Report has recommended for considering the project area as of high Seismicity status related to empirical aspects as well as regional tectonic consideration.
Besides, the report has stressed that work force at the project site during the peak construction period would be around 4600 persons and this entire population is expected to reside in the project area at any given time. Separate accommodation and related facilities for workers, service providers and technical staff are likely to create problems of sewage disposal, solid waste management alongwith tree cutting to meet fuel requirement.
The report maintains that impact of such activities on land environment arises due to indiscriminate disposal of waste, littering, dumping of medical waste from dispensary and other medical facilities. For construction of main project components major activities are excavation and concreting. Excavation will have impact in terms of muck generation. Excavation and concreting process will require use of various construction equipments such as batching plants, aggregate processing plants, dumper trucks, excavators, dozers, jack hammers, generators and pumps leading to generation of pollution in terms of emissions, waste water, noise and solid waste
The assessment study further outlines that opening of quarries will cause visual impacts because they remove significant part of the hills. Other impacts will be the noise generated during aggregate acquisition through explosive and crushing, which could affect wildlife in the area. Air pollution is caused during crushing operation to get the aggregates of appropriate size and transport them to the site.
Construction plant and repair workshops will have impact on ambient air quality due to fugitive emissions associated with operation of DG sets to meet the power requirements and other equipments; impact on water quality due to wastewater generation and impact on soil due to solid waste generation.
Soil erosion will result from direct project activities like construction of new roads, improvement of existing roads, opening and operation of quarries, disposal of stone and soil dumping, and a number of other project related activities. Landslides are a natural feature of the poorly consolidated geological formations. Geological processes primarily determine slide activity whereas the slips might be more directly influenced by human interference and project construction.
Most important direct impact of project will be loss of forest area and other natural vegetation coming directly under submergence; clearances for road construction, for construction of labour camps, dumping areas, working sites and quarry sites. This will reduce already deficient vegetative cover in the project area. The total forest area that will be disturbed due to inundation, dumping of muck, quarries, and main project components like dam, powerhouse is estimated to be around 82.05 hectares.
Fishery activity is more pronounced in the tributaries of Chenab rather than main Chenab river. This area will not be impacted by project construction. Mahseer, a migratory fish species, may get impacted due to blockage of upstream migration from the Baglihar reservoir. Besides these negative impacts, Kiru Hydroelectric project is likely to further intensify the land slipping and sliding incidents. Observers maintain that unable to come-up with concrete proposal for addressing power woes of Jammu and Kashmir; state government seems to have made up its mind to wreak environmental havoc in erstwhile District Doda by mindlessly constructing dams across the length and breadth of river Chenab.
People in the entire district Doda have been complaining that construction of Baglihar Dam has resulted in serious damage to the rock structure of the area. To justify their argument, they cite regular incidents of slipping as well as landslides on the National Highway-1B which connects Doda-Kishtwar districts with Jammu and others parts of the state and country. |
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