Green Tribunal clears way for Renuka dam, partially

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.