Thrust laid on strict adherence to Environ Mgmt Plan
*Affected populace to get school, hospital, solar panels
Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, Feb 15: Finally, the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) of the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has recommended Environmental Clearance to 240 Mega Watts (MW) Uri-I Stage-II Hydroelectric Project (HEP) on Jhelum River in Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir with certain conditions regarding environmental management and biodiversity conservation, disaster management and socio-economic upliftment of project affected population.
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The Uri-I Stage-II Hydroelectric Project (240 MW) is an extension of the existing Uri-I Stage-I HEP (480 MW). The existing structure from Uri-I Stage-I including the barrage, head regulator up to the headrace tunnel (HRT) intake, spillway and de-silting basin will be utilized for Stage-II of the HEP.
In its meeting held on August 13, 2024, the Expert Appraisal Committee had asked the Project Proponent to submit a copy of public hearing report ensuring transparency and compliance with regulatory requirements given the significance of public participation in environmental decision-making.
In its latest meeting held few days back, the EAC examined the public hearing report and noted that the Biodiversity Conservation and Wildlife Management Plan for Schedule-I species has been approved by the office of Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife)/Chief Wildlife Warden on October 14, 2024 and a total of Rs 186 lakh has been allocated under this plan for various conservation activities including biodiversity conservation, wildlife management, conservation and management of Schedule-I species and monitoring and evaluation.
The EAC, as per the sources, took cognizance of the revision in fund allocation for environmental management measures. The Project Proponent had initially earmarked Rs 144 lakh for the Biodiversity Conservation & Wildlife Management Plan, which has now been increased to Rs 186 lakh. Conversely, the funds allocated for the Catchment Area Treatment (CAT) Plan have been reduced from Rs 1346.05 lakh to Rs 1297.00 lakh raising serious concerns.
“The EAC has strongly advised the Project Proponent to restore the funds for the CAT Plan to the originally proposed amount of Rs 1346.05 lakh ensuring that essential catchment conservation activities are not compromised”, sources informed.
After examining the information submitted and detailed deliberations, the EAC has recommended to the Ministry the proposal for grant of prior Environmental Clearance to Uri-I Stage-II Hydroelectric Project of 240 MW as Run of the River Scheme in an area of 102 hectares subject to fulfillment of certain specific environmental safeguard conditions.
“The Environmental Management Plan (EMP) should be strictly adhered to as submitted in the EIA/EMP reports and the budgetary provisions for implementation of EMP should be fully utilized and not to be diverted to any other purpose. In case of revision of the project cost or due to price level change, the cost of EMP should also be updated proportionately”, sources said quoting the EAC conditions.
The Project Proponent has been asked to install Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations before commencement of the construction and no vehicle purchase should be allowed from funds earmarked for implementation of Wildlife Conservation Plan. Moreover, Project Proponent will ensure that measures for minimizing the human-animal conflict specially for black bear and leopard incorporated in the Wildlife Conservation Plan in consultation with Forest Department of J&K UT.
As far as socio-economic aspects are concerned, the EAC has directed that land acquired for the project should be suitably compensated in accordance with the prevailing guidelines and provisions under Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013.
“Solar panel be provided to the families living in rural areas within 10 km radius of project with annual maintenance, school up to 12th Standard with smart classes should be established and managed to provide free quality education for children from project affected villages/tribal villages and 50 bed multi speciality hospital should be established to cater the need of tribal population/ locals. Further, the tribal population within 10 km radius of the project should be given free of cost medical facility”, read the conditions imposed by EAC.
Similarly, several conditions have been imposed with regard to disaster management.
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