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SURVEY OF IMPACT OF HYDRO POWER PROJECTS ON THE LIFE OF HIMALAYAN PEOPLE


Virat Jolli:

Sainj valley also known as God valley is a gorgeous valley with many picturesque sites. It is situated in Kullu District of Himachal Pradesh. One can access it via NH 44 and is approximately 485 Km from New Delhi. The valley has rouged and steep slopes alongwith fast flowing rivers like Sainj Khad and Jiwa Nal which make it suitable site for hydro power generation. The site was identified in 1990’s and dam building activity began in the region in 2001. The aim of such project is to generate electricity, provide employment opportunity to locals which ultimately ushered economic development of valley. Around 2/3rd of its area is under protected area network (Great Himalayan National Conservation Area and Sainj Wildlife Sanctuary) and many native people are dependent on forest natural resources for their livelihood. After the commencement of HPPs it is expected to bring significant changes in native rural people. Therefore, it’s important to know how native people perceived these projects. Our research team conducted a survey based questionnaire research in Sainj Valley, Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh. The survey was performed in June-July 2015 i.e. in Summer season to know the native people opinion on hydro power projects (HPPs). The questions were specifically designed keeping in view the people livelihood and basic needs. Our team was led by Dabe Ram and Chuni Lal and were assisted by students previously associated with us. Our team surveyed different areas of Sainj Valley and surveyed 48 individuals.
Rural Communities of HPP affected families are pastoral and keep goats and sheep to sustain themselves.
Suind Power Station Aerial View (Part of Parvat HPP Stage-II)


The survey revealed that native rural people perceived HPPs as positive and believe it had significantly brought positive change in their life and were therefore in favour of HPPs. However, large section of native people had not been benefited of HPPs. The decline in agriculture production, change in cropping pattern and poor access of water were witnessed by native people which showed other side of the coin. The dependence of native people on forest resources has not declined much and still number of local individuals depends on forest resources to supplement their income. Though, in current scenario people has benefited from such projects, however it is not known if it will be sustained for long time due to current unsustainable agriculture practices and limited employment opportunities. Moreover, Government should provide adequate compensation to the affected individuals by either providing a suitable land for agriculture or employment under various rural sector schemes.
Source: Jolli, V. (2017). Hydro power projects-boon or bane for the rural communities of Western Himalayas. Present Environment and Sustainable Development, 11(1), 55-64. https://doi.org/10.1515/pesd-2017-0005
  

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