Expressing concern over the “mushrooming” of hydroelectric power projects in Uttarakhand, the Supreme Court on Tuesday prohibited the setting up of any new such projects in the state in view of recent floods which resulted in massive devastation and loss of life, property and infrastructure.
A bench headed by Justice K.S. Radhakrishnan directed the Union ministry of environment and forests (MoEF) and the Uttarakhand government not to grant any further environmental or forest clearance for any hydroelectric power project until further orders. The apex court also directed the MoEF to constitute a body of experts to carry out a detailed study and determine whether existing and under construction hydroelectric power projects in the state have contributed to environmental degradation, and if so then to what extent did they contribute to the recent tragedy that struck Uttarakhand.
“MoEF is directed to constitute an expert body consisting of representatives of the state government, WII (Wild Life Institute of India), Central Electricity Authority, Central Water Commission and other expert bodies to make a detailed study as to whether hydroelectric power projects existing and under construction have contributed to the environmental degradation, if so to what extent and also whether it has contributed to the present tragedy occurred at Uttarakhand in the month of June,” it said. A “detailed scientific” study was needed to ascertain adverse effects of existing, under-construction and proposed hydroelectric power projects on the environment and ecology of the state, the court said in a 72-page verdict while disposing of a batch of petitions of various firms and other petitioners.