Hydro Power is being aggressively promoted in India due to its cheapness,reliability and cleanliness.Hydro Power in India accounts for around 20-25% of Installed Electricity Capacity and is expected to increase at the same rate.India is massively power deficient with around 10-15% Peak Hour Deficit.This combined with the rapid growth of the Indian Economy has made electricity demand shoot up.The government is trying to heavily support the usage of Green Sources of Energy like Small-scale Hydro,Wind,Solar and Biomass Energy.Large scale Hydro Plants are also being built by India’s large utilities like SJVN,NHPC,NTPC and others.However Hydro Plants are not without their environmental impact on the surrounding habitat and wildlife.Am improper and hurried environmental clearance can lead to huge losses and pain later as can be seen from the recent cancellation of NTPC’s 600-mw Loharinag Pala project in Uttarakhand

NTPC to review hydropower capacity addition programme – FE

State-owned power generator NTPC seems to be cautious about capacity addition through hydropower projects after the government recently scrapped its 600-mw Loharinag Pala project in Uttarakhand on resistance by some environmental groups.

NTPC has envisaged increasing its installed generation capacity to 75,000 mw from the current 32,000 mw level by 2017 and targeted 17.5% share for hydro generation capacity in its energy mix.

What is the Environmental and Human Rights Impact of Big Hydro Power Plants

Tribal Rights – Large Dam construction especially in populated areas leads to massive Tribal Displacement,Loss of Livelihood and Religious Infringement as potentially sacred Land is occupied by the Government.There has been a massive people’s movement against the Bhakra Nangal Dam Project led by Narmada Bachao Andolan.This protest which was organized by tribal people was against the large scale displacement and inadequate compensation given to the tribals inhabiting the submerged catchment area of the massive dam.The net effect on Hydro Plants is huge cost and time overruns and potential cancellation.

Wildlife Effect – The Fishes are the most affected species from Dam Construction as the normal flow of the river is completely changed form its river character to a lake one.Submergence of land also leads to ecological destruction of the habitat of land based wildlife.

Earthquake Vulnerability – Large Dam Construction has been linked to increased propensity of Earthquakes.Massive Earthquakes in China and Uttarakhand in India were linked to the building of Massive Dams in these countries.Building of Massive Man Made Structures along geologically sensitive areas has not been properly studied and understood till now

Summary

While Hydro Power is a necessity for an energy starved and growing economy like India,its effect have to be properly assessed and understood before going on a hydro binge.NTPC lost almost $300 million after its 600 MW project was cancelled 5 years after getting permission.This was done in the face of large scale protest by local groups and NGOs.2 other projects in Uttarkhand have also been rejected leading to more losses.