Eleven hydropower projects in the downstream of Gaumukh in Uttarakhand have got clearance from the Environment Ministry since 2006, Lok Sabha was informed on Monday. Environment Minister Jayanthi Natarajan said the Ministry accords environmental clearance (EC) for hydropower projects after conducting studies and following due procedures subject to compliance of various environmental safeguard measures as stipulated in the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2006.
The Ministry "regularly and periodically monitor the compliance of the Environment Management Plan (EMP) and other associated issues," she said, adding any violation in this regard is dealt with in accordance with the provisions of Environment Protection Act, 1986.
"In order to regulate development in the fragile Himalayan region, the Central Government has notified the entire watershed of about 100 kms stretch of the river Bhagirathi from Gaumukh to Uttarkashi covering an area of 4179.59 sq kms as an Eco-sensitive Zone," she said in written reply to a question.
Replying to another question, Natarjan said no specific survey has been done by the Environment Ministry on the environmental situations in the hilly regions particularly in the states like Uttarakhand keeping in view the recent disastrous flood in the hill state.
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