Opposing big dams, top social activists of Uttarakhand today called for a separate long-term policy for the conservation of Himalayan rivers and greater participation of locals in the development of hydropower projects.
At a two-day conclave here, Chipko leader Sunderlal Bahuguna, social activist Anil P Joshi and others came together and issued 13-point recommendations to the Centre and the state government asking them to ban the construction of big dams which render thousands of people homeless.
Instead of huge reservoirs, they favoured run-of-the-river small projects which affect far less population as compared to big dams having huge reservoirs like the 2,400 Mw Tehri. The locals should also be given greater participation in the development of hydropower projects, they aver.
Expressing concern over the depleting discharge of various Himalayan rivers, Bahuguna said the Centre must come out with a long-term policy for the conservation of rivers. “There should be a policy to maintain the uninterrupted flow of the rivers,” he said. “Our fight for the water, forests and land will continue,” said Bahuguna.
The activists also called for a blanket ban on the quarrying in the entire Himalayan region. The government should also create new development schemes keeping in view high fragility of Himalayan region.