The Indian Ministry of Environment has given clearances for several hydroelectric projects on the Chenab River, despite concerns from environmentalists about the potential harm to the fragile Himalayan ecology. The projects, including the 260-megawatt Dulhasti Stage-II hydropower project and the 1,856MW Sawalkote hydro-electric project, have been approved without addressing the serious apprehensions raised by environmentalists. The clearances come after India unilaterally suspended the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) earlier this year, which has led to concerns about the “weaponisation of water” and its impact on the flow of the Chenab and Jhelum rivers.
The Sawalkote project has been in the works for decades and has faced numerous delays due to forest clearances and compliance issues with the IWT. The Dulhasti Stage II project is a smaller component of the Chenab basin projects and is expected to cost around $35 million. The project will require 60.3 hectares of land, including 8.27 hectares of private land from two villages in Kishtwar district.
Environmentalists are concerned about the impact of these projects on the climate and the health of the glaciers in the Chenab basin. The glaciers in the basin have already reduced by 33.3% since the signing of the IWT in 2004-05. The South Asia Network on Dams, Rivers and People NGO has warned that the reduction in glacial volume is shocking for both India and Pakistan, as 50% of the Chenab River’s flow is made up of meltwater when it leaves India at Akhnoor.
The health of the glaciers is crucial for the water security of the entire Himalayan region, with 60% of irrigation in the Indus basin depending on glacial melt. The NGO has emphasized that the sustenance of the glaciers is essential for millions of people in both countries. The Indian government’s decision to push ahead with these projects despite these concerns has raised alarm bells, with Pakistan’s Foreign Office warning about the potential consequences of India’s “weaponisation of water”. The situation highlights the need for careful consideration of the environmental and social impacts of these projects, as well as the importance of cooperation between India and Pakistan to ensure the sustainable management of the region’s water resources.