India’s Ministry of Atmosphere is contemplating clearances for a number of hydroelectric tasks on the Chenab River, regardless of warnings from environmentalists about dangers to the delicate Himalayan ecology.
Final week, a authorities panel accredited the 260-megawatt Dulhasti Stage-II hydropower undertaking in Kishtwar district, Jammu and Kashmir, in keeping with The Hindu. Earlier, environmental clearances had been reinstated for the bigger Sawalkote hydroelectric undertaking on the identical river.
These developments observe India’s unilateral suspension of the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) after blaming Pakistan for the Pahalgam incident, a declare Islamabad denies, calling the suspension “an act of conflict.”
Pakistan has raised alarms over abrupt adjustments in Chenab and Jhelum river flows, which have affected farmers in Punjab. Overseas Minister Ishaq Dar emphasised that the treaty stays legitimate in keeping with the Everlasting Courtroom of Arbitration (PCA) and cited UN considerations over India’s actions.
The Tasks
The 1,856MW Sawalkote undertaking has confronted many years of delays as a consequence of forest clearance points and IWT compliance. It stays within the pre-construction stage.
Dulhasti Stage-II, a 258MW run-of-the-river scheme, is designed to boost the effectivity of the prevailing 390MW Dulhasti Energy Station. Estimated to price round $35 million, it’s going to require 60.3 hectares of land, together with 8.27 hectares from two native villages, Benzwar and Palmar.
India is reportedly pushing forward with a number of hydroelectric tasks within the Chenab basin, together with Sawalkote, Ratle, Bursar, Pakal Dul, Kwar, Kiru, and Kirthai I and II.
Environmental Issues
Environmentalists warn that these tasks might exacerbate local weather dangers. The Chenab River, fashioned by the Chandra and Bhaga rivers in Himachal Pradesh, is a Western River beneath the IWT, allotted primarily to Pakistan. Research point out that between the treaty’s signing and 2004-05, glacial quantity within the Chenab basin fell by 33.3%, threatening water safety in each nations.
The South Asia Community on Dams, Rivers and Folks notes: “Glaciers and their sluggish water launch in spring and summer time are key to irrigation for 60% of the Indus basin. Their well being is essential for thousands and thousands in India and Pakistan.”
Pakistan’s Response
Pakistan Peoples Celebration Senator Sherry Rehman condemned India’s approval of Dulhasti Stage-II, calling it a “flagrant violation of the IWT” and accusing India of “weaponising water.” She highlighted that India is fast-tracking disputed tasks, which she stated might inflame tensions in an already strained bilateral relationship.
