The technology of ‘run of the river’ (ROR) used to tap “the flow of rivers” in high gradient zones to generate power has given impetus to setting up of hydro-projects in the Himalayan states. In India, the mountainous region of the Himalayas offered the “perfect setting” for such projects, with the availability of several flowing water sources that could be tapped before they reached the plains. Of the Himalayan states, after Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh is second in line with a hydropower potential of about 21000 MW. The installed capacity has increased twenty fold (from 326 MW to 6370 MW) in the last ten years indicating the frenzied pace of hydropower development in the state.
During the early part of the decade, the ‘climate change’ crisis registered in the mainstream psyche and the catch phrase of ‘green technology’ gave additional impetus to renewable energy sources like hydropower over coal or nuclear power. The Himachal Pradesh (HP) government and its main power developing corporations have gone all out to sell hydropower as “clean, efficient and environment friendly”. In its pursuit of a “cleaner environment”, the HP government prepared a draft Climate Change Policy in 2008 to facilitate the implementation of the Clean Development Mechanism for companies building hydro-power projects in the state.
ADB, a major player in the hydro-power sector in HP, in its project documents and policies has consistently insisted on safeguard mitigation measures on three fronts – social, environmental and public or ‘stakeholder consultation’. This study attempts to look at the implications of these on the Himachal Clean Energy Development Programme. It is with the above objectives and framework that this report, attempts to present a critical analysis of ADB’s investment in the hydropower sector in the state, putting together field observations, based on discussions with project affected communities along with compliance or violations of norms and legislations that protect the livelihood interests and environmental rights of project affected communities.
The study has the following general recommendations -
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