Hydro: Not the destructor but savior of ecosystem

As the magnitude and nature of hydro power projects can vary dramatically, their impacts vary too; or does they? The hydro experts clears the air and discuss why hydro is not the real villain in harming the environment but we people are.

Multiple reports have been going around warning the society about how hydro projects have been causing environmental, social and economic issues, especially contributing to global warming and disrupting the balance of ecosystem.

Sharad Mahendra, COO (Energy Business), JSW Energy Limited says, “The talk that hydroelectric dams are contributing to global warming is misleading; if we visit any hydro projects, we can clearly see the way the site is built and taken care of. If the right technology is used and has been done as per the design, then it will turn out to be good and better for all the ecology, and for the community in the sense that it strengthens the area around it rather than resulting in global warming.”

Apparently, there is no reason for a run-of-river hydro to cause global warming; it is indeed very environment friendly rather. In today’s time, when we are talking of environment or Paris Accord, it is hydro where we have the carbon credits that is generated every year.

According to Irn Kumar Chugh, Director – Engineering Services (Hydro Business), Energy Division, Feedback Infra Pvt Ltd, a lot of misinformation regarding hydroelectric dams contributing to global warming have been going around.For example, the Gumti Hydroelectric Project in Tripura. The designed project had a diversion, creating submergence in the river zone only. It was planned and investigated way back in mid-80’s when there were no habitation around the area. Chugh, himself was said to be involved in the planning and designing of this project and had visited the area number of times.

However, there were cases where due to uncontrolled construction in hydro and other projects, eco-system balance got disturbed. Chugh is of the opinion that it is not only the projects that are affecting the system but the localities too. People of Uttrakhand is said to have constructed shops/hotels/buildings with foundation columns placed in the river. In Kanpur, people have encroached upon both the banks of river Ganga. In Delhi, Akhshardham Temple had been constructed on Yamuna bed. Chugh says, “A lot of factors are contributing to the imbalance of ecosystem and global warming. Blaming only hydro which is a big contributor to National growth seems incorrect.”

As far as eco-systems are concerned, strict guidelines are in place and every project’s construction is being monitored by various governmental and inspection agencies. Chugh says, “Any project constructed without violating the given rules will cause no damage.”

Saving the global beings
Mahendra says, “The concern comes up when you visit a hydro project in the construction stage. However, at the later stage, with the kind of technology and designing process used, it helps the environment and the surroundings, thus making it more secure.” For example, by using proper technology, rock mass can be strengthened which would prevent landslides; thus, not only a boon for hydro projects but also increases the life of the surrounding beings. There is water ingression in the rock mass on the hills and hydro projects can’t afford water seepage as it will cause a huge impact financially. When slow seepage of water into the rocks increases, it becomes difficult for the tree roots to hold the rock mass; thus, weakening it and causing landslides. So, to prevent any catastrophic effect, tunneling is done in major part of the area to strengthen the rock mass. The search shaft is vertically drilled into the rock mass, which helps to prevent the water seepage.

Chugh also states some of the examples where hydro was the savior of human life and environment. He states that the Phata-Byung Hydro Electric Project, in Uttrakhand,which was in the advance stage of construction has a dam 6km downstream of Gaurikund. The dam works were in the completion stage when the tragedy at Kedarnath occurred. River Mandakani carried heavy debris, muck along its course. It was the dam at Phata which said to have stopped (arrested) these debris and saved the downstream area and thus avoiding a disastrous effect.

Any project constructed without violating the given rules will cause no damage
Irn Kumar Chugh, Director – Engineering Services (Hydro Business), Energy Division, Feedback Infra Pvt Ltd

Hydro generates us carbon credits every year
Sharad Mahendra, COO (Energy Business), JSW Energy Limited