HimVani
Chamba: Community representatives and environment action groups have come together to appeal to the Himachal Pradesh Pollution Control Board (HPPCB) to postpone the environment clearance public hearings to be held for the 240 MW Kuther and 180 MW Bajoli-Holi projects in Bharmour from 16th to 19th of April.
In the two separate appeals that have been sent to HPPCB on 9th April and 13th April, the demand was put forth raising serious concerns about the timing of the public hearing stating that a considerable part of the population, who are Gaddis, a pastoral community, are not present in the area due to seasonal migration. “Further, the market of Holi town has witnessed a grave incident of fire on the 11th in which about 50 shops and houses have been gutted down. Therefore, the fire-affected people and their dependants would not be able to attend the public hearings whereas it is necessary that they be able to voice their opinion. The entire purpose of the public hearing to ensure widest possible participation will be lost if they are held in such a scenario,” stated the memorandum addressed to the chairperson and member secretary of the Himachal Pradesh Pollution Control Board.
