Press Statement 1/12/15 : Kinnaur in crisis; Sheer Negligence in hydro projects claiming lives. Who is accountable?

In the last two weeks a half a dozen lives have been lost in the Kinnaur region alone in three separate incidents that have one thing in common – accidents at hydropower project sites. The first event took place in Burang village on the 18th of November 2015 where a penstock pipe burst of the […]

Photo Essay | On a slippery road

A photo essay published in Live Mint by Manshi Asher and Sumit Mahar members of Himdhara Environment Research and Action Collective Imtiaz Ali’s 2014 film Highway, shot in states like Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh (HP), showed the lead pair of Randeep Hooda and Alia Bhatt taking National Highway 5, the earlier NH 22, making their […]

Himachal undoes a pro-people Central law : The Tribune Op-ed

An article published in The Tribune by Prakash Bhandari & Manshi Asher, members of Himdhara Environment Research and Action Collective A radical act was passed in the Parliament in 2006 which promised to undo the “historical injustice” that was committed on India’s forest dwellers by the non-recognition of their rights on the country’s forests. Himachal […]

Press Note 5th August 2105 : SJVN Changes Luhri Project Design, Drops Tunnel Component Locals relieved, demand that the stretch of the Satluj be left free-flowing

The Satluj Bachao Jan Sangharsh Samiti, a platform of representatives of villages to be affected by the Luhri Hydropower project (Kullu, Mandi and Shimla districts) and its 38 km long tunnel have expressed relief as there has been a radical change in the design of the project with a complete dropping of the tunnel component. […]

Press Note 15th June 2015: Kinnaur residents rise-up! Demand immediate action on pathetic condition of NH-5

Close to 500 residents of Hangrang Valley and other areas of Pooh block Upper Kinnaur today held a rally at Kinnaur’s district headquarter Rekong Peo demanding immediate action by the Administration on the pathetic conditions of roads, especially, the National Highway 5. “NH-5, which is the lifeline of Kinnaur and the only road for residents […]

Renukaji Dam project in deep freeze State govt sends 14 reminders to seek Rs 1,981.35 cr from Centre, but to no avail : The Tribune

Kuldeep Chauhan Tribune News Service Shimla, May 20 As the Modi government has pushed 175-m-high Renukaji Dam that will supply 23 cumecs water to Delhi in deep freeze, the state government has sought Rs 1,981.35 crore assistance to start work on the project or it will cancel the land awards given to the project-affected villages, […]

Kinnaur’s Curse? : Economic and Political Weekly

An article published in Economic and Political Weekly by Manshi Asher, member of Himdhara Environment Research and Action Collective Kinnaur, one of Himachal Pradesh’s most ecologically fragile places, is under threat from widespread construction activity in hydroelectric power projects. Landslides have become a common occurrence threatening apple orchards as well as habitats in Kinnaur. A […]

Submission to Delhi Government : Assess sound options for Delhi’s Water supply & review need for destructive projects like Renuka Dam

To The Chief Minister  Government of Delhi India Copy to: 1.Shri Manish Sisodia,Deputy Chief Minister and Chairperson of Delhi Jal Board 2.Shri Ashish Khaitan,Deputy Chairman of Delhi Dialogue Commission Subject : Assess sound options for Delhi’s Water supply & review need for destructive projects like Renuka Dam Dear Shri Arvind Kejriwal It is with deep concern […]

A Himalayan Sell Out : Down To Earth

An article published in Down to Earth by Kesang Thakur & Manshi Asher, members of  Himdhara Environment Research and Action Collective The development juggernaut has gained new momentum with the Narendra Modi led BJP government assuming power. There is a new vigour to steam rolling policies, laws or regulatory mechanisms, seen as a threat or obstacles […]

Govt apathy fanning protests against hydro projects: The Indian Express

February 5, 2015 A panel of experts appointed by the Himachal Pradesh government has said that popular opposition to large hydel power projects on the Sutlej is being fanned by the establishment’s “indifference” to the problems of the people. The panel has rejected the conclusions of a report prepared earlier for the union government, which […]