SRINAGAR: The proposed Kirthai-II hydroelectric project on the Chenab River in Jammu and Kashmir has undergone a reduction in installed capacity from 930 MW to 820 MW, even as the Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has recommended in-principle approval for the diversion of 197 hectares of forest land required for the project, The Indian Express reported.
The recommendation was made during the FAC’s meeting held on June 10, according to the minutes of the meeting released by the ministry.
The project, which had received environmental clearance recommendations in 2021 subject to forest clearance, is proposed in a moderate to dense forest area in the mountainous region of Kishtwar district.
According to project documents placed before the FAC, Kirthai-II will be developed as a run-of-the-river hydroelectric project on the Chenab River. The project is planned between the Kirthai-I project upstream and the Kiru hydroelectric project downstream.
A 121-metre-high concrete gravity dam is proposed in Padder tehsil of Kishtwar district.
The approval makes Kirthai-II the third hydroelectric project on the Chenab River to secure key environmental and forest-related clearances since the suspension of the Indus Water Treaty following the Pahalgam terror attack.
The Centre has accelerated the processing of hydropower projects in the Indus basin, including Sawalkote, Dulhasti-II, Ratle, Pakal Dul, Kwar, Kiru and Kirthai Stages I and II, with the objective of enhancing utilisation of river waters.
FAC records show that the project will require felling of 8,723 trees spread across dense forest areas comprising Pine species, Silver Fir, Oak and other temperate broadleaf species.
The divisional forest officer, in his report to the committee, noted that the project area is a natural habitat of Chilgoza Pine and supports wildlife species including the Himalayan Tahr, Asiatic Black Bear, Himalayan Brown Bear and Asiatic Ibex.
Taking note of the ecological sensitivity of the area, the committee directed the project authorities to implement a wildlife biodiversity management plan and habitat management measures, including provisions for animal passages.
The project is being developed by Chenab Valley Power Projects Limited, a joint venture between the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) and the Jammu and Kashmir State Power Development Corporation Limited.
The Jammu and Kashmir administration has recently exempted hydropower projects on the Indus, Chenab and Jhelum rivers from the requirement of cumulative impact assessment and carrying capacity studies, citing their strategic importance and the need for optimum utilisation of available water resources.
