Himachal voters want green justice

The state government last month informed the assembly that 37 hydropower projects, with a combined generation capacity of 2,292 MW, were allotted in Lahaul-Spiti district.

Corporate giant Larsen and Toubro (L&T) has been allotted a 420-MW hydropower project in Reoli Dugli, the biggest in the district, while the Seli Hydroelectric Power Company Ltd is executing a 400-MW project over the Chenab river near Shulling village.

Vishnu Bodh, a farmer in Kaza in Spiti valley, said there was abnormal rise in temperature due to massive construction activity.

”We have even observed an increase in precipitation in this cold desert, which indicates that something has gone wrong with nature.”

He said if the political parties remain unconcerned about environmental degradation in the hills, then “they would opt for NOTA (None of the Above) option” in the polls.