Impact of Kashang Hydro power project on Socio-Economic and Environmental status of Pangi Village in Himachal Pradesh

Abstract

India has a difficult time finding a balance between its rising energy needs and the desire to preserve the environment of all major nations, this one has the highest rate of increased energy demand. Geomorphologically, India offers great sources of hydropower with well-defined regions, which are topographically favorable for the run-off river hydro development. Himachal Pradesh is blessed with abundant water resources in its five major rivers i.e. Chenab, Ravi, Beas, Satluj and Yamuna, which emanate from western Himalayas and flow through the state. The most isolated, roughest, snowcovered, inaccessible, scenic, and unspoiled tiny river valley in Himachal Pradesh is Pangi. In the very north of the state, where time and space have taken on new dimensions, lies a minor administrative subdivision of the Chamba District. It is a remote valley that is sandwiched between the Pir Panjal in the south and the Zanskar in the north. The need for the integrated Kashang HEP, located in the Sutluj basin which stores 9412 MW power potential being 46% of the total hydro power potential of the state, has therefore been considered in context of power shortage in Northern Region. The discharge characteristics of Kashang and Kerang khads is also favourable with unique parameter i.e. the difference between the minimum and maximum discharge is less due to the orientation of their catchment whose major portion is permanent snow cover resulting into more winter discharge.