Panan Hydel Project does not fall within the KNP & its Biosphere Reserve, says Sikkim Power Deptt.
Gangtok:In the year 2003, Government of India launched a policy of adding 50,000 MW Hydel Capacity in the Country. This was because the hydel thermal mix in the country had been eroded considerably to affect the power system adversely. India has a large hydro potential concentrated mostly in the Himalayan States in the North and North-Eastern Region of the Country. In spite of this, an elaborate procedures entailing a number of clearances rendered any hydel scheme, a difficult proposal to start with. This had over the years, slowed down the capacity addition in hydro generation. To achieve the set target of 50,000 MW, Government of India simplified these procedures and private investors were invited to invest in hydel projects.Sikkim has been endowed with very high hydro potential, which is estimated to be 8,000 MW. Proper harnessing of this potential could transform the potential into very stable revenue source. Government of Sikkim in keeping in line with the policy of the Government of India took a series of steps towards developing viable projects in the State. A total of 26 projects with a total capacity of 4747 MW have been allotted to IPPs.280 MW Panan Project in Dzongu Area of North Sikkim is one of the 26 projects. This is being developed by Himagiri Hydro Energy Pvt. Limited. The project has been awarded in BOOT Arrangement under Joint Venture and the State Government will have 26% Equity Shares. The State will get 12% free power for 12 years after which the free power share will be raised to 15% till the end of 35th year. The project will be reverted back to the State at the end of the 35th year.The project has been given environmental clearance by the Ministry of Environment & Forest, Government of India. As a special safeguard for the preservation of Lepcha Culture, Ministry of Environment & Forest, Government of India has put a rider while giving environment clearance, which bars the developer to set up any labour colony within the Dzongu region.A section of public have expressed their apprehensions that the project area encroaches Khanchendzonga ‘National Park and its buffer zones designated for its Biosphere Reserve. This is to clarify that none of the project components of Panan Hydel Project falls within the Khanchendzonga National Park and its Biosphere Reserve. With the development of the project, its Catchment Area Treatment Plan has to be implemented, which shall be done by the State Forest Department at the cost of the developer.All possible measures have been taken to ensure that the damage to the ecology is mitigated.
