Chenab Valley Power Projects has sought diversion of about 197 hectares of forest land for the construction of the Kirthai Stage-II Hydroelectric Project on the Chenab river in Kishtwar district.
Kirthai II is part of several other hydroelectric projects in the Indus basin that the Centre has sought to expedite after putting the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) with Pakistan on hold last year.
The environment ministry’s Forest Advisory Committee (FAC), which grants approval for diversion, appraised the hydroelectric project on Wednesday. The meeting details are yet to be released publicly.
More than 8,700 trees have been proposed to be cut for Kirthai II’s construction, according to the project’s site-inspection report. “The removal of trees would definitely affect the ecosystem in general, especially in terms of increased run-off and soil erosion that may lead to landslides,” the report said.
It also noted that the project site is the natural habitat of chilgoza pine, which will be lost in large numbers due to forest diversion.
However, the report stated that the proposed project is of “national importance”, and “some trade-off” is required between developmental activities and environmental conservation.
A 2016 study, published in the “Indian Journal of Agroforestry”, found that chilgoza nut collection is a significant income source for villagers in Kishtwar’s Paddar block — where Kirthai II is proposed to be built.
The project site-inspection report also highlighted that endangered species, such as the Asiatic ibex have been recorded in the diversion area.
The construction of Kirthai II is likely to affect 446 families as well, the report said.
