By: Nasir Azam
Srinagar: The standing committee of National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) has given its nod to construction of Ujh multipurpose power and irrigation project in Jammu region of J&K.
The Ujh Multipurpose project is planned to be constructed in Kathua district of Jammu & Kashmir on the river Ujh, which is a tributary of the Ravi river.
The proposal was cleared during the 58th meeting of the standing committee of NBWL held on July 3 through videoconference under the chairmanship of Union Minister for Environment, Forests and Climate Change, Prakash Javadekar.
“After discussions, the Standing Committee decided to recommend the proposal and suggested that the Chief Wildlife Warden should take measures for protection of wild life such as rhesus monkey, porcupine etc. in the area,” reads record note of the meeting.
The proposal was put up before the NBWL as involved construction of an underground canal in eco-sensitive zone in Jasrota sanctuary.
“The Member Secretary briefed the Standing Committee on the project for use of 4350 hectare of land for the construction of 116m high concrete face rockfill dam across the river Ujh, a powerhouse of installed capacity 186 MW (3 x 62 MW) and powerhouse of 26 MW (1 x 2 MW + 1 x 24 MW) and a barrage 11.5 KM downstream of the dam. However, only a small portion of the right main canal (1200 m) would be constructed as underground canal in the ESZ on the north side of sanctuary,” the record note further states.
“The State Chief Wildlife Warden has recommended the proposal without any conditions,” it added.
—(KNO)