On Joshimath: Hydropower projects in the Himalaya should be reconsidered given recent crisis

On Joshimath: Hydropower projects in the Himalaya should be reconsidered given recent crisis

Subject: Geography

Section: Indian Physical Geography

Context: The crisis unfolding in Joshimath for over a month has led to conversations on the relevance of hydropower in the Himalayan region. Two years ago, a glacier burst led to question marks over the Rishiganga hydroelectric project in Uttarakhand.

Hydropower projects (HPP):

• Considered green energy because it generates electricity from the natural flow of water without releasing any emissions or pollutants.
• It also does not rely on fossil fuels.
• Environmental impact:
  • Large-scale hydroelectric dams impact local ecosystems and communities– they displace people and result in loss of habitat for fish and other wildlife.
  • Concerns about the potential conflicts over water resources in the region.
  • Construction of dams can disrupt the flow of rivers, leading to changes in water temperature and chemistry.
  • It can cause erosion, landslides, and sedimentation.
  • Dams also disrupt the migration patterns of fish and other aquatic species and impact the local wildlife, particularly if the dam’s construction leads to habitat loss.
• HPPs in Himalayas:
  • Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project in Arunachal Pradesh
  • Teesta Low Dam Hydroelectric Project in Sikkim
  • Arun III Hydroelectric Project Nepal
  • West Seti Hydroelectric Project, Nepal
  • Chukha Hydropower Project, Bhutan
  • Tala Hydropower Project, Bhutan

Alternative to HPPs:

• Micro hydro is a small-scale hydroelectric power generation system that typically generates up to 100 kilowatts (kW) of electricity.
• These systems use the energy of falling water to turn a turbine, which, in turn, generates electricity.
• They can be used for various applications, including powering homes, businesses, and small communities.
• Advantages of Micro hydro systems:
  • Less expensive
  • Can be located in inaccessible areas
  • Reliable source of energy to communities
  • Smaller environmental footprint
• Micro hydro systems can be classified into two main types – run-of-river and storage systems.
  • Run-of-river systems use the natural flow of water in a stream or river to generate electricity.
  • In contrast, storage systems use a reservoir to store water and release it as needed to generate electricity.

Way forward:

• Micro hydro systems can be tailored to minimise the ecosystem’s negative impact and provide sustainable energy solutions.
• However, it’s important to note that even micro-hydropower projects can have some impact on the environment and local communities.
• A detailed assessment should be carried out to evaluate the potential impact before proceeding with the project.