|
Travel
Sites |
Deforestation
threat to Kullu
by Rajiv Kimta
Kullu: Known for its scenic splendour, Himachal Pradesh draws thousands of tourists every year and leave them overwhelmed with the beauty of its natural surroundings. But the State is also a big source of power for many other States in northern India. These days, the natural wealth is under threat, especially in Kullu district, in the wake of a deforestation being carried out for development of hydel power in the State. People here feel that the State Government is keen to earn money by selling power in other parts of the country. Many parts of Himachal Pradesh are either suffering long power cuts or have gone into darkness. And to fulfil the ever-increasing demand for more electricity and generate hydel power at present many hydel power project schemes are operational in the State. In comparison to other districts of Himachal Pradesh, at least fifteen Hydel Power project schemes are being implemented.
About
400 hectares of forestland are being submerged. According to official
figures, 12,000 big trees and 13,000 saplings are to face the axe. But,
in the disguise of this drive, many illegal felling of trees has also
taken place which is a major concern for the environmentalists here. "Permission
has been given to cut 12,000 Trees , and in these schemes 400 hectares
of Forest land has been used, and 15 schemes are running right now. But
whenever there is misuse or breaking of the Forest Laws , the Forest Department
takes action and fines them " said S.S. Negi, Conservator of forests Himachal
Pradesh. . In Kullu district, the highest power production of the country
is generated. For this project, a total of 4,100 trees have already been
chopped off. But the recent action of cutting trees has not gone down
well with the environmentalists who are deeply concerned about the state
of affairs in the wake of execution of such policies. "After the cutting
of forests, soil-erosion takes place, and due to the cold temperature
of Kullu the situation worsens. This causes an ecological imbalance in
the whole area. Our hills cannot stand the running of so many projects
together " said Dr. J.C. Kuniyal, scientist , G.B. Pant institute of Himalaya
and Environment Development If our Government, in the name of development,
started cutting lakhs of trees in this way, the day is not very far when
this small State would lose it's natural wealth of forests. If the government
didn't take any proper action towards bringing some changes in its policies,
the State will have to face dangerous environmental hazards in the coming
years, Kuniyal warned. The State authorities say, any misuse or attempt
to flout existing rules is punished appropriately time and again.
-April 9, 2006
Tourist
offices
in India
|
Window
on India |
|
News
Links |