Kishtwar, Sept 18: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has sought responses from government authorities and Chenab Valley Power Projects Pvt Ltd (CVPPL) over allegations of environmental violations, landslides and damage to residential houses linked to the under-construction 540-MW Kwar hydroelectric project in Kishtwar district.
A Principal Bench of the NGT in New Delhi, comprising Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava and Expert Member Dr Afroz Ahmad, issued notices to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Central Pollution Control Board, J&K Pollution Control Committee, Chief Secretary of J&K, Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar and Managing Director of CVPPL.
The matter has been listed for further hearing on November 30.
The proceedings stem from an original application filed by Guddu Kumar and Sanjay Kumar on behalf of residents of Halqa Panchayat Padyarna in Nagseni block, alleging environmental violations during the execution of the project.
During the hearing, advocate Muzzaffar Ali Shah submitted that construction-generated muck was allegedly being dumped on slopes, affecting the Chenab river and its basin. The tribunal noted that photographs placed on record by the applicants had been cited in support of the allegations.
“Muck generated during construction was being dumped on slopes, adversely affecting the Chenab river and its basin,” the applicants alleged through their counsel.
The petition also alleges that continuous and excessive blasting in the project area has caused strong vibrations and damaged houses in nearby villages, including Sumna Bhatta, Pullar and Padyarna.
According to the applicants, repeated blasting has resulted in cracks in the walls and foundations of several houses, raising concerns over the safety of residents.
Shah further submitted that residents had earlier approached the Deputy Commissioner, Kishtwar, through a representation dated May 5 last year, raising allegations of illegal blasting and unauthorised stone-crushing activities associated with the project.
The tribunal observed that the application raises substantial issues concerning compliance with environmental norms. It also took note of the applicants’ reliance on Clause 5 of the Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOF) Risk Management Plan for Kishtwar, which they claimed had identified potential high risks associated with dam construction in the area.
The NGT has now sought replies from the concerned authorities and project stakeholders before considering the matter further.
