Green Tribunal seeks details of forest land in Kashang power project

The National Green Tribunal has directed Himanchal Pradesh Power Corporation Ltd (HPPCL) to furnish details of the forest land likely to be affected by the 243 MW Kashang Hydroelectric Power Project in Kinnaur district of the state.

The National Green Tribunal has directed Himanchal Pradesh Power Corporation Ltd (HPPCL) to furnish details of the forest land likely to be affected by the 243 MW Kashang Hydroelectric Power Project in Kinnaur district of the state.

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The Tribunal passed the orders on a plea filed by an NGO challenging the forest clearance granted for the project by Ministry of Environment and Forest on April 16, 2010.

"After hearing (counsel for petitioner and respondents), we direct the project proponent (HPPCL) to file a further affidavit clearly furnishing the break-up of forest land measuring 17.685 hectares for which forest clearance has been granted.

"The project proponent is also directed to furnish figures with regard to the nature of the forests, the number of trees existing along with their species and number of trees which are going to be felled either for preparation of head race tunnel or tail race channel or the road," a bench headed by Tribunal's Acting Chairperson Justice A S Naidu said.

The bench, also comprising GK Pandey as the expert member, posted the matter for further hearing on July 11.

An NGO, Paryavaran Sanrakshan Sangarsh Samiti Lippa Village, had moved the Tribunal challenging the forest clearance granted to the project being developed by HPPCL.

During the hearing, the bench also allowed Devi Gyan Negi, a Himachal Pradesh native, to file an application for being made a party to the case.

Negi had moved the Tribunal seeking directions to stay the clearance granted to the project.