GANDAKI: Environmentalists and conservationists alike have expressed their concern over the existential threat and ecological imbalance posed by the proposed development projects based on the Kali Gandaki River.
The Gandaki river system that lies in the central part of the country originates in the Tibetan plateau and traverses through districts like Mustang, Myagdi, Baglung, Parbat, Syangja and Gulmi and so on to eventually merge into the Ganges in India.
The campaigners involved in the ‘Kali Gandaki Conservation Campaign’ have been pressing for a holistic approach to developmental efforts in and around the River which is one of the vital river systems in the country.
Untoward and excessive extraction of soil, stones and other aggregates have threatened the ecological aspect of the river besides risking the lives and livelihood of those depended on the river, the campaigners voiced.
The campaigners have called for taking into account sustainable infrastructure development and environmental conservation while advancing proposed mega projects such as Kali Gandaki-Tinau Diversion Multipurpose Project and Kali Gandaki reservoir-based hydro power project among others.
At present, environment impact assessment is underway for the 640-mega watt reservoir-based Kali Gandaki hydro power project. The project lies in Baglung and Parbat districts.
The Campaign, issuing a press statement, has claimed that both of these projects were not viable projects from river and ecological conservation point of view.
The campaigners said that their attention has been drawn towards the Supreme Court dismissing the writ petition against the Kali Gandaki Diversion Project.
“Such projects could pose adverse effects on those residing nearby the Project sites. The Kali Gandaki river and its ecological balance could be at risk,” read the statement issued by coordinator of the Campaign RK Adipta Giri.
These proposed projects tend to threaten the natural flow of the river besides destroying the historical, cultural and religious significance of the river, cautioned the statement.
Environmentalists worry that the ongoing rampant exploitation of the river and the large development infrastructures based on the river will invite water crisis, loss of biodiversity and geological problems in future.
The Campaign has urged all sides concerned not to neglect and keep silent on the looming crisis in the Kali Gandaki due to the increasing humanitarian encroachment.
The organisation has called for implementing the development projects in a unique way while at the same time conserving the environment.
The Campaign has been stepping up constructive pressure since the past to protect and restore the natural environment of Kaligandaki flowing from the Himalayas.
Instituted four years back, the Campaign also organized a programme entitled ‘Nadi Saptak’, series of poetry recital related to the Kaligandaki river and the need to conserve its natural flow and environment.
Campaign coordinator Giri said that they had to launch the campaign as the rampant exploitation of Kali Gandaki will not only destroy the beauty of the river and the river civilization but it will also disturb the human-ecological balance.
According to Giri, the growing human encroachment on the Kali Gandaki has led to river pollution, disturbed the plant and animal ecosystem and damage to the biodiversity.
He said diversion of the river course and construction of big dam will pose threat to the religious sites, historical structures and natural diversity.
Giri, the Campaign coordinator, urged all sides to voice for the protection of the Kaligandaki river ecosystem as it sustains large populations dependent on it.
The campaigners have called for keeping the Kaligandaki’s natural course intact as it is connected to the spiritual, cultural prestige, biological and nature diversity as well as to human livelihood.
Besides, the Kali Gandaki is the only river in the world where the rare ‘shaligram’ or the ammonite stones are found.
The Hindus consider the ammonite stones as the symbol of their god Vishnu. Therefore, the river carried great religious significance to the Hindus.
It is feared that increasing encroachment on the river will pose threat to the ammonite stone source.
The Kali Gandaki river flows south through Damodarkunda and Muktikshetra in Mustang in the Himalayas and there are many religious heritage sites along its bank downstream.
Human encroachment on and exploitation of this river is going on rampantly in the name of sand and aggregates mining for lack of proper and strict policy from the State side.
Scores of holy sites on the bank of the Kali Gandaki from Muktinath to Devghatdham are under threat, it is said.
(Ram Thapa/RSS)
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