Uproar Against Proposed Mega Hydropower Projects in Lahaul
Massive Protest Rally Announced in Udaipur on 23rd May
Today, under the leadership of panchayat representatives from Udaipur division in Lahaul, Sudarshan Jaspa, President of the Lahaul-Spiti Unity Forum, held a press conference and sounded the bugle for a movement against nearly one and a half dozen major hydropower projects proposed in the Chenab basin of Lahaul Valley. The prominent projects include Jispa (300 MW), Stegri (98 MW), Chatru (120 MW), Mayar (120 MW), Tandi (104 MW), Rashel (130 MW), Seli (400 MW), Shangling (44 MW), Teling (94 MW), Bardang (126 MW), Tingret (81 MW), Gondhla (144 MW), Koksar (90 MW), Raholi Dugli (420 MW), Purthi (300 MW), Sach Khas (260 MW), and Duggar (380 MW). No area of Lahaul Valley will remain untouched by these projects.
Sudarshan Jaspa strongly opposed the recent Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the Himachal Pradesh government and the Telangana government for the Mayar (120 MW) and Seli (400 MW) projects, stating that this decision completely ignores the highly sensitive geographical conditions, climate, and tribal rights of the entire Lahaul Valley. He warned that the construction of these projects would not only destroy the fertile land, biodiversity, and endangered species of the valley but could also forcibly displace the residents of Lahaul, who are already struggling to survive in harsh geographical conditions.
He cited examples like Kinnaur and Uttarakhand, where massive blasting, tunnel construction, and debris dumping for similar large-scale projects have led to devastating landslides and floods. The Dr. Ravi Chopra Committee, formed to investigate the causes of the 2013 Uttarakhand disaster, held large hydropower projects responsible for the tragedy. Similarly, in 2009, the Abhay Shukla Committee, constituted by the Honorable High Court of Himachal Pradesh, recommended a complete ban on such projects in high-altitude Himalayan regions above 7,000 feet, labeling them as environmentally destructive. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has also deemed these projects unsuitable for high Himalayan zones.
Lahaul Valley’s average elevation is around 9,000 feet above sea level—2,000 feet higher than the limit recommended by the Abhay Shukla Committee. Additionally, the district falls under highly sensitive seismic risk zones IV and V. In recent years, drastic climate changes have triggered devastating flash floods in several nullahs (streams) of the district, including Mayar, Jahalma, Shansha, Tozing, and Shakas. Given these risks, it is imperative to assess whether tampering with nature in the blind race for development could spell disaster for the entire Lahaul Valley. Therefore, the valley must unite and mobilize against these projects.
In light of this, a massive “Protest Rally” will be organized on 23rd May 2025 at 11 AM from the courtyard of Mrikula Mata Temple in Udaipur, led by all panchayat representatives of Udaipur division. The representatives have urged all women’s groups, youth organizations, public associations, and intellectuals of Lahaul-Spiti to participate in the rally and raise their voices for themselves and the entire Lahaul Valley.
Present at the press conference were Zila Parishad member Mahinder Singh, BDC members Sheela Devi, Rita Thakur, Rakesh, and several pradhans including Lakshman Thakur, Dinesh Kumar, Heerchand, Gopal Gaud, Nirmala, Vikas Jaspa, Khushal Chand, Surender Thakur, Premdasi, and Ravinder, among others.
