The controversial Renuka Dam project to be built on a tributary of the Yamuna river in Himachal Pradesh has cleared a major hurdle. The National Green Tribunal on July 10 allowed the project developer--Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (HPPCL)--to go ahead and pay compensation to people whose land is being acquired for the Rs 3,600 crore project. Last year, the tribunal had stalled the project by staying payment of compensation to project-affected people and forest clearance to the project. The tribunal, however, has not vacated the stay on the forest clearance and will hear the matter next on August 14.
| Renuka dam will displace villages, submerge forestland
- Site location: 1.5 km upstream of Dadahu bridge on Dadahu-Sangra motor road
- Number of project affected people: 337 families in 32 villages
- Total agricultural land to be diverted: 1,231 hectares
- Forestland to be diverted: 939 hectares reserved forestland, including 49 hectares from Renuka Wildlife Sanctuary, will be submerged
- Water to be supplied to Delhi from Renuka dam: 1,040 million litres a day
- Power to be generated: 40 MW for Himachal Pradesh
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Dispute over forestland diversion