The Ministry of Environment and Forests (MOEF) has denied approval for NTPC's 261-MW Rupsiabagar-Khasiyabara hydro-electric project in Pithoragarh district stating that it was being set up in a highly ecologically sensitive wildlife habitat.The Rupsiabagar-Khasiyabara hydroelectric project was proposed to be set up on river Goriganga in Uttarakhand. NTPC had signed an MoU with the Uttarakhand Government to prepare detailed project report for obtaining clearances from statutory authorities.The Environment Ministry in a statement on Monday said that under Section 2 of the Forest Conservation Act 1980, approval has been denied for diverting 217.522 hectares of forest land for construction of the proposed project.The Ministry's rejection of the proposal is based on the recommendations of the Forest Advisory Committee (FAC), which concluded that the project area was highly sensitive to erosion and constriction of roads for the projects will escalate the problem.
The FAC also stated that the wildlife management plan under the project was not adequate to ensure proper safety of major endangered species in the area. Further, the impact of the project on endangered species needs an in depth analysis, the FAC had opined in May this year while suggesting rejection of the proposal to the Ministry.
The FAC, which re-examined the proposal based on NTPC's request in June said that the project was one of the seven projects located on the river.
No comments:
Post a Comment