5 May 2016 The National Green Tribunal, yesterday, on 4th May 2016, passed a judgement directing the Ministry of Environment and Forests and the State Government of Himachal to place the entire forest clearance proposal for the Integrated Kashang (stage II and III) Hydroelectric Project before the affected Gram Sabhas for their perusal. The judgement was passed by the Principal Bench chaired by Justice […]
Himachal Pradesh is a Himalayan state in the North-West of India and is known for its good performance in social and economic development indicators in the country. A state where the government seems to have ‘delivered’ in areas of education, health and other basic services. The region is also celebrated for its landscape- as the […]
The film highlights the issue of safety violations and negligence in Hydropower Projects in Kinnaur, Himachal Pradesh, India. The focus is on an accident that took place at the 100 MW Sorang Hydroproject in November 2015. For more information : Memorandum to DoE Press statement 1/12/2015
6th December 2015 To Principal Secretary Directorate of Energy Shimla Subject: Failure of Safety Control and Monitoring of Impacts in Hydropower Projects Sir, It is with great concern that we are writing this memorandum to you for your urgent perusal and action. As you are aware, in the last two weeks a half a dozen […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]