By Pragati Shahi

Government’s nature conservation efforts are impeding hydropower generation. On Dec. 4, 2009, the Cabinet meeting held in Kalapatthar had decided to expand the Bardia National Park from 968 sq. km. to 1862 sq. km.

The highaltitude meet aimed at drawing global attention towards melting Himalayas saw declaration of the Gaurishanker Conservation Area. It covers 2035 sq. km. of land and straddles Dolakha, Ramechhap and Sindupalchowk districts. The BNP expansion and the Gaurishanker conservation area are likely to affect prospects for a dozen hydropower projects, including the 45-MW Bheri-Babai Multi Purpose Project and 456-MW Upper Tamakoshi Hydro Power Project (UTHEP), an official at the Ministry of Energy (MoE) said.

The BNP expansion, the official said, will affect the execution of a 45-MW project, which can irrigate thousands of hectares in Bardia. In 1987, then Ministry of Water Resources had conducted a study on the project that was designed to generate 183 MW and irrigate thousands of hectares in Bardia by diverting Bheri waters into the Babai.

With the birth of the BNP in 1988, the site for the proposed powerhouse came under the protected area and had to be shifted. Thanks to the change of site, the project, even if it is executed, will generate only 45 MW, according to the official. There are other environmental concerns that delay hydel projects. The UTHEP is a case in point. Work on the project got delayed as authorities, including the Ministry of Forests and Soil Conservation (MoFSC), did not issue permission on time for felling trees on the project site.

According to the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC) Act, the Ministry of Environment, MoFSC and the National Planning Commission should approve the Environment Assessment Impact (EIA) for the execution of development projects inside protected areas.

The Act has it that any hydropower project based in a protected area should use only 50 percent of total water resources available, take permission for use of explosives during construction and felling trees. Apart from that, project officials must pay entry fee each time they visit the site under the protected area. “The MoFSC did not coordinate with the MoE before declaring conservation areas,” according to Secretary at the MŒ Shanker Prasad Koirala.

A proposed 10-MW reservoir project located inside the Langtang National Park had to be scrapped five years ago as the park did not issue permission for the project’s execution, said Koirala.

However, spokesperson for the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Shiva Raj Bhatta said executing UTHEP would not be difficult as the Langtang park is “more flexible” compared to other national parks and reserves.

Source: The Kathmandu Post