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Environmental Implications of Pancheshwar Dam in Uttarakhand (Central Himalaya), India


Affiliations
1 Department of Environment Science, VCSG University of Horticulture and Forestry, Bharsar, Uttarakhand 246 123, India
2 Department of Earth and Environmental Science, IISER-Mohali, Mohali 140 306, India
3 National Centre for Seismology, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Lodhi Road, New Delhi 110 003, India
4 School of Media and Communication Studies, Doon University, Dehradun 248 001, India
5 Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad 380 009, India
 

The present study outlines major concerns and potential environmental consequences of the proposed Pancheshwar high dam in Uttarakhand (Central Himalaya), India. We evaluate the risks associated with the project in the light of environmental impact observed for the Tehri project in the region and the geological understanding developed over the years. Three major factors and their likely impacts analysed relate to (i) sediment mobilization from glacial–paraglacial zones and unstable slopes, (ii) infrastructure development, and (iii) seismicity. We highlight the need to reassess geo-environmental implications of the project in the ecologically sensitive Kaliganga valley.

Keywords

Environmental Impact, Pancheshwar, Reservoir Draw Down Effect, Sediment Flux, Seismicity.
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  • Environmental Implications of Pancheshwar Dam in Uttarakhand (Central Himalaya), India

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Authors

S. P. Sati
Department of Environment Science, VCSG University of Horticulture and Forestry, Bharsar, Uttarakhand 246 123, India
Shubhra Sharma
Department of Earth and Environmental Science, IISER-Mohali, Mohali 140 306, India
Naresh Rana
National Centre for Seismology, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Lodhi Road, New Delhi 110 003, India
Harsh Dobhal
School of Media and Communication Studies, Doon University, Dehradun 248 001, India
Navin Juyal
Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad 380 009, India

Abstract


The present study outlines major concerns and potential environmental consequences of the proposed Pancheshwar high dam in Uttarakhand (Central Himalaya), India. We evaluate the risks associated with the project in the light of environmental impact observed for the Tehri project in the region and the geological understanding developed over the years. Three major factors and their likely impacts analysed relate to (i) sediment mobilization from glacial–paraglacial zones and unstable slopes, (ii) infrastructure development, and (iii) seismicity. We highlight the need to reassess geo-environmental implications of the project in the ecologically sensitive Kaliganga valley.

Keywords


Environmental Impact, Pancheshwar, Reservoir Draw Down Effect, Sediment Flux, Seismicity.

References





DOI: https://doi.org/10.18520/cs%2Fv116%2Fi9%2F1483-1489