Hydro-project puts human settlement in peril
KASKI:
Human settlements near the under construction Upper Madi Hydropower project are under great risk of landslip with regular blasts at Sildajure of Kaski.
“We get scared of frequent explosions just below our house. It feels like a quake is shaking our houses. We have complained many times, but in vain. How can we live in such a situation? This question remains unanswered,” said Fundri Gurung, 80, of Sildajure VDC in Kaski district.
The country has been launching various hydro-projects to ensure electricity to the people. But Sildajure folks are terrified with the prospects of landslide caused by the blasts at the tunnel construction site of the 25WM hydropower project. “We may escape if the disaster occurs during daytime but what about at night?” asked Shree Prasad Gurung, another local.
Landslip at the entrance of the tunnel almost touched Shree Prasad Gurung’s house yard. There are several cracks and holes around his house. Landslides are occurring almost every day and there is no sign they will stop.
Landslide has already encroached Gurung’s land below his house. Shree Prasad had sold some land to the project for Rs 20, 000 per ropani. “I thought the remaining land would be saved, but I was wrong. Now, where to I evacuate?” asked Gurung.
A goat shed belonging to Chetnath Baral has also cracked due to the blasts. Likewise, houses belonging to Dhan Bahadur Gurung, Chetbhakta Baral, Gangadhar Baral, Bamdev Baral, Damu Baral, Dhaknath Baral, Chetnath Baral, Subash Gurung, Lekh Bahadur Gurung, Raj Kumar Baral and Tej Bahadur Gurung, among others, are said to be at high risk, said Madi River Wetlands Coordination Committee member Ram Gurung. He said, “Pieces of boulders from the blasts hit and make holes in the stone roofed ceiling causing the roof to leak.” said Gurung.
“The area is dusty and children can neither play nor study,” said Subash Gurung.
Birjaman Gurung, Nepali Congress Kaski Constituency No 1 president, said various environmental problems were seen in the area due to the project, which was launched without an environment impact assessment.
Bijaya Babu Malla, Madi Hydro-electricity Executive Chairman, said they would compensate the locals. The locals complained that they were not provided sufficient compensation.
Laxmi Baral, a local, said officials said their houses were not damaged so they couldn’t be compensated.
Liu Jian, deputy project manager of the Chinese contract company Sino Hydro Bureau, said people’s grievances have been reported to the main office of the project as these could not be resolved from here.
The project was launched aiming to generate power within 28 months four years ago in the lake city. The Chinese company Three Gorges and a Nepali private company have jointly invested in the project. Fifty-five per cent work has been completed.
Source: THT
