Kathmandu. Myagdi: President of Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) and Chairman of IME Group Chandra Prasad Dhakal has decided to construct a 66.3 MW hydropower project in Myagdi district. Under the leadership of Dhakal, Support Hydro Limited is going to build the 66.3 MW Central Kaligandaki Hydropower Project.
On Wednesday, a discussion was held with the local residents and public representatives of the project-affected areas on environmental impact reduction and social responsibility in the affected areas. The project has allocated Rs 97.024 million for environmental impact mitigation and social responsibility in the affected areas.
The project is estimated to cost Rs 12.93 billion and 0.75 per cent will be spent on social sector. Structures have been prepared to start the construction of dam at Sukebagar and audit tunnel at Nagdhunga.
On the occasion, Ward Chair of Annapurna Rural Municipality-4, Lok Bahadur Fagami, presented a four-point disagreement on the proposed method of spending the budget of social responsibility of the project.
Earlier, locals had filed a case with the Supreme Court alleging that the 14 MW Mistrikhola Casket Hydropower Project would endanger the Paudwar Tatopani Kunda. The construction of the project has been halted after the Supreme Court ruled in favour of the locals. RSS
At a public hearing on the supplementary environmental impact assessment report of the 66.3 MW Central Kaligandaki Hydropower Project at Bhurung-Tatopani of Annapurna Rural Municipality-2, the residents of the affected areas suggested to construct the project in such a way that it does not affect the source of Tatopani.
Anil Hirachan of Bhurung Tatopani shared his experience of deepening the river, changing its course and locking in the past. He said the future of tatopani, a tourist destination, would be in jeopardy after the water of Kaligandaki was pumped into the tunnel.
Another local, Atma Tulachan and Amritman Sherchan, said that there was a problem of drying up of water sources in the affected areas due to tremors in the ground during the construction of tunnels of other projects. They urged the government to build hydropower projects only by ensuring that the source of tatopani would be affected.
Annapurna’s ward no. 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 will be affected by the project proposed for a dam at Sukebagar on the border of Annapurna rural municipality-3 and 4, a 4-kilometer 319-meter tunnel and an underground power house at Sukebagar of ward no. 2. Bhurung and Paudwar tatopani ponds are located in the project-affected areas.
Led by IME Group led by Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) President Chandra Dhakal, Hydro Support Pvt Ltd is going to carry out a supplementary environmental assessment to increase the capacity of the project to 66.3 MW from 53.53 MW earlier.
Amritman Sherchan of Bhurung-Tatopani said that the civilization and culture of Kaligandaki should be saved. Chairman of Hydro Support Chandra Dhakal urged to create an environment for the construction of the project so that tatopani pond and local life would not be affected. He pledged to save the source of hot water on behalf of the project. RSS
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