Kullu residents resent felling of trees for hydroelectric plant

Prini (Himanchal Pradesh), Jan.30 (ANI): Felling of a number of trees for the purpose of construction of a hydroelectric power plant in Kullu has worried local residents in Himachal's Kullu.

"This is really bad for our environment, besides the areas which underwent digging of the land for placing transmission lines and towers is of no use now, as nothing can grow there. People, who suffered and gave away their land, did not get any compensation from government. They (authorities) should have carried these lines from an open field instead of disrupting the environment and bothering the local people. It will continue, as government would never take any necessary action," said Uttam Sharam, village council head.

Local residents are concerned about the impact of deforestation.

Authorities, however, rubbish such allegations as unwanted fears.

Refuting the allegations Anil Kumar Sharma, Divisional Forest Officer, Kullu said only limited number of trees, as decided by the State government, have been felled.

"We have reports which say that marking were made on the trees and only those were cut. And the trees, locals are telling about, also fall under those 522 trees decided by the government to be slashed. And till now I have not received any other report of illegally cutting of any other tree except those 522," said Anil Kumar Sharma, Divisional Forest Officer, Kullu.

The hydroelectric power plant is being build to meet with the energy shortages. By Prem Thakur (ANI)