The private-sector hydel-power project in Himachal Pradesh that is under a cloud for flouting forest laws is ironically registered with the National Clean Development Authority for the purpose of earning Carbon Credits from the UNFCCC under the Kyoto Protocol.

The 192-MW project, being executed by the Allain Duhangan Hydro-Power Company (a unit of Rajasthan’s leading LNJ Bhilwara group), is located close to the tourist destination of Manali. But following detection of serious environmental degradation and blatant violation of the Forest Conservation Act by the company, the Environment Protection Department of the state Government has stopped work at the project.

The order was passed by Additional Chief Secretary (Environment ) J P Negi after a high-power inquiry ordered by Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh confirmed that the company had illegally felled trees and was causing harm to the Himalayan ecology.

The company was also fined Rs 5.95 crore by the Forest Department for felling or damaging trees by the hundreds, illegally dumping waste, diverting the forest road without necessary approvals from the Ministry of Environment and Forests, and for causing other damage to the forest.

Forest Department records show that the company has allegedly felled 840 trees till now and extracted stones from an area of 6,000 cubic meters. It is believed to have dumped waste in a 41,000 sq m area and usurped nearly five hectares of forest land for project-related activities without obtaining necessary clearances. Allain Duhangan is also accused of cutting fuelwood and pitching tents on forest land for its labour.

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