HP shelves projects to conserve environment

Shimla, Jun 5 (UNI) The Himachal Pradesh Government has abandoned hydro electric projects of 425 MW capacity in Kullu and Kinnaur districts to preserve and conserve the environment of these valleys.

Addressing a gathering of local people, environmentalists and school children here on the World Environment Day here, Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh said hydel projects in Tirthan valley of Kullu district and projects in Kinnaur district were being shelved to conserve and save out fish and Bhojpatra forests area in these two valleys.

Mr Singh said his government had also made it mandatory for every hydro-electric project to release a minimum of 15 per cent of river water downstream for sustaining aquatic life and feed water supply and irrigation schemes.

It has also been made mandatory for every hydro electric executing authority to obtain a no objection certificate from the concerned local panchayat before executing the project, he said.

He said Himachal was the first state in the country to have a separate department to conserve and preserve the environment.

Steps were also being taken to check pollution caused due to industrialisation and industries have been directed to install environmentally safe devises for disposal of waste from the units, he added.

UNI