Uttarakhand seeks power to clear additional hydro projects.

After the June 2013 floods and widespread destruction, the Uttarakhand government was widely criticised for illegal constructions and increasing hydro-power projects across its river beds. However, the state has sought permission from the Centre to increase its mandate for clearing an additional 50 hydro projects and also removal of eco-sensitive zones in the region.

According to laws, the state government can clear hydro-power projects up to 2 Mw on its own, beyond which it will need the Centre's consent. According to a top official at the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF), the state government has asked the ministry to increase the mandate for clearance up to 25 Mw. This would lead to clearance of at least 50 more hydro projects. 'The government also wants us to bring down the total eco-sensitive zone area in the region,' said the official.

The Uttarakhand government plans to have a total of 336 hydropower projects with total capacity of 27,189 Mw. The largest number (122) of such projects are in the Alaknanda basin, and the largest capacity is proposed to be in the Sharda basin at 12,450 Mw. However, sources say that the state wants caps for clearances to be increased to 25 Mw in Bhagirathi basin.

BS