Himachal News - India Together

COMPENSATORY AFFORESTATION HOAX
Rampant diversion, tardy reforestation in Himachal

A recent report by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India reveals blatant procedural and legal non-compliance in respect of compensatory afforestation work in Himachal Pradesh. Himanshu Upadhyaya summarises the findings.

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CARBON TRADING

My fossil fuels, your land

The BioCarbon Fund promises to plant trees across a swathe of Himachal Pradesh, amidst questions about the environmental value and fairness of the program. Sudhirendar Sharma reports.

Energy Forests Environment

RENUKA DAM

Drowning Himachalis, pampering Delhi

Its demand for water is ever-growing, and its usage wasteful. Using its political and economic power, however, Delhi is quenching its thirst by extracting it from places near and far. Shripad Dharmadhikary reports on the proposed Renuka Dam.

Water Environment

ENDLESS STRIFE

Awakening the somnolent state

The common thread between our external and internal security predicaments is our approach to time. Most security issues are long-standing and seemingly interminable. If we understood why this is so, we can change it, writes Firdaus Ahmed.

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ECOLOGICALLY SENSITIVE AREAS

Lessons up the hill

An empowered committee of the Supreme Court calls for the blacklisting a construction firm in Himachal Pradesh, after noting that state officials probably connived with the developer in violating conservation and development laws. Kanchi Kohli reports.

Forests Environment Environmental Law and Regulation

HIMALAYAN TOURISM

Ski village plans hit the skids

The Expert Appraisal Committee reviewing plans for a large hill toursim project in Himachal Pradesh has taken a critical view of it. Responding to petitions from locals and conservationists, the EAC called for further studies of the project's likely impacts. Kanchi Kohli reports.

Environment

FOREST LAND USE

New facts emerge in McLeodganj case before CEC

Recently, the Central Empowered Committee once again heard the strange case of a hotel coming up on land sanctioned for a parking lot and bus stand in Himachal Pradesh. Kanchi Kohli reports on the many ways in which officials are trying to get this illegal use regularised.

Forests Environment

CONVERTING FOREST LANDS

Passing the forest buck

A series of intra-government transfers of forest lands turns its management and use over to private developers, completely bypassing the original public interest behind conservation of woods. Kanchi Kohli reports on a McLeodganj case that may hold the fate of similar efforts.
(also see Part II)

Forests Environment

ECONOMY/ENERGY

Build first, sell next, approvals later

The private sector Baspa II hydel power project went live over two and half years ago and has been selling power to the Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board. Lack of regulatory approvals and determination of final wholesale tariff has not deterred the company from raising money in capital markets. Himanshu Upadhyaya finds out more.

Energy Public Funds Economy

An election-year scarcity

Severe shortages of power and water are predicted for the coming months in much of the North. Himanshu Thakkar looks beyond the 'natural phenomena' that are blamed.

Energy Water Environment

Mountain Vox

Lalitha Sridhar reviews Voices from the Mountain, Oral Testimonies from Uttaranchal and Himachal Pradesh.

Environment Reviews Uttarakhand