Context:
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has recommended environmental clearance for the Sawalkot hydroelectric project on the Chenab River in Ramban district, Jammu & Kashmir (J&K). This comes amid India’s push to expedite hydropower projects of strategic significance following the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) engagements with Pakistan.
Key Highlights / Details
- Project Overview:
- The Sawalkot Hydroelectric Project, executed by NHPC Ltd, is a run-of-the-river type project.
- Capacity: 1,856 MW, to be built in two phases –
- Stage I: 6×225 MW
- Stage II: 3×225 MW
- Dam Height: 192.5 metres (high concrete dam).
- Total Area: ~1,401 hectares.
- Estimated Cost: ₹31,380 crore.
- Geographical Context:
- Located on the Chenab River, which flows through Ramban, Reasi, and Udhampur districts before entering Pakistan.
- The project lies within the Indus River Basin, governed earlier by the Indus Waters Treaty (1960).
- Environmental & Technical Aspects:
- The MoEFCC’s expert committee has recommended environmental clearance, subject to safeguards.
- Provisions include:
- E-flow mechanism to ensure minimum river flow.
- Compensatory afforestation and land acquisition norms.
- Dedicated team to monitor environmental activities and ensure compliance.
- Online monitoring system for real-time tracking.
- The project also requires Forest Clearance under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 and approval from the National Board for Wildlife, if applicable.
- Strategic Significance:
- Enhances India’s utilization of Indus waters for non-consumptive use (hydropower).
- Aims to counterbalance unutilized water flow to Pakistan under IWT provisions.
- Strengthens energy security and strategic infrastructure in J&K.
Relevant Prelims Points
- Run-of-the-River Project: Generates hydroelectric power using natural river flow without large reservoir storage.
- Chenab River:
- Tributary of the Indus River.
- Originates in Himachal Pradesh, flows through J&K, and enters Pakistan.
- Indus Waters Treaty (1960):
- Brokered by the World Bank between India and Pakistan.
- Allocates the eastern rivers (Ravi, Beas, Sutlej) to India and western rivers (Indus, Jhelum, Chenab) primarily to Pakistan, allowing India only non-consumptive use.
- NHPC Ltd: India’s premier public sector hydropower company.
Relevant Mains Points
- Strategic Hydropower Development:
- Enhances India’s capacity to utilize its share of Indus waters, crucial amid ongoing Indo-Pak tensions.
- Environmental Governance:
- Balancing infrastructure development with ecological safeguards under EIA Notification 2006 and Forest Conservation Act, 1980.
- Regional Development:
- Project expected to generate employment and improve infrastructure in J&K.
- Energy Transition:
- Supports India’s move toward clean and renewable energy sources.