SRINGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir government has earmarked Rs 75 crore for environment protection and Rs 58 crore for relocation and rehabilitation (RR) of people living in and around the catchment areas of Kishanganga Power Project in north Kashmir district of Bandipora.
To ensure supply of safe drinking water to the population living in and around the catchment areas of Kishanganga Power Project, a water filtration plant would be installed and commissioned by October this year.
This information was given to the Environment Committee of Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Council, which met under the Chairmanship of Dr Syed Bashir Ahmad Veeri here today.
The Committee had a detailed discussion on the environment and allied issues of the under construction Rs 3642.04 crore 330 MW Kishanganga Hydle Electric Project and called upon the authorities of NHPC to maintain ecological balance while implementing the project plan.
It was given out that Rs 1.50 crore are being spent under catchment area treatment programme while Rs 17 crore have been earmarked for Environment Management Plan. The project is being implemented within the framework of Indus Water Treaty, it was added.
The Committee raised the issue of contamination of water supplied to the people living in catchment areas and asked the NHPC to take concrete steps for checking this and ensuring discharging treated water in the streams besides supplying through pipes.
It directed Regional Director, Environment and Remote Sensing Department to launch a massive awareness programme through media about the environment and environmental issues so that common people know about it and effects of climate change.
Stressing for getting Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) by an accredited body, approved by the Union Ministry of Forests, the Committee asked the NHPC and Environment and Remote Sensing Department to look into the matter thoroughly.
The Committee unanimously decided to visit the project site and have on the spot assessment of the environment and allied issues raised by the members during the deliberation
