Showcause to power company for violating Environment Act

Shimla, June 16 (UNI) The Himachal Pradesh government today issued a showcause notice to Allian Dhuhangan company, executing the 192 MW hydro power project in Kullu district of the state, for violating the Environment Act, 1986, an official spokesman said.

The company had been asked to explain its stand on the issue within 15 days failing which construction work at the site would be stopped under Section five and 15 of the Act, the spokesman said here.

The government had constituted a committee to hold an inquiry into the violation of the Act by the company.

The committee had submitted its report on April 19, this year, while highlighting violations by the company as against the directions of the Department of Forests and State Pollution Control Board.

As per the agreement with the company, it had to ensure that pollutants and waste generated during the construction activity was disposed of suitably without causing loss to forest land, trees and plants, the spokesman added.

However, the notice has been issued to the company following complaints that it was not taking necessary steps for the protection of the environment.

Reiterating the government's resolve to conserve the fragile Himalayan ecology, he said the government had taken several steps in this regard which helped in increasing the forest cover.

According to the latest Forest Survey of India report, the forest cover in the state has increased by about 4.5 per cent, the spokesman noted.

UNI