Judgement of the National Green Tribunal regarding Kashang Hydro Electric Project in Kinnaur District, Himachal Pradesh, 04/05/2016
Judgement of the National Green Tribunal in the matter of Paryawaran Sanrakshan Sangarsh Samiti Lippa Vs Ministry of Environment and Forests & Others dated 04/05/2016 regarding Kashang Hydro Electric Project in Kinnaur District of the State of Himachal Pradesh. The villagers of Lippa have filed this appeal seeking to assail the order of the Department of Forest, Government of Himachal Pradesh dated 15.01.2013 according sanction for diversion of 17.6857 hectares of forest land, order dated 22.03.2011 issued by the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India (the Respondent No.1) granting Stage I Forest Clearance and order dated 14.06.2011 also issued by the Ministry of Environment and Forest granting final approval for diversion of 17.6857 hectares of forest land for construction of 130 MW Integrated Kashang Stages II and III Hydro Electric Project in favour of M/S Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Limited in the Kinnaur District of Himachal Pradesh.
Tribunal directs Ministry of Environment and Forests and State of Himachal Pradesh to ensure that the entire proposal pertaining to Forest Clearance in respect of Stages II and III of 130 MW Kashang Integrated Hydro Electric Project is placed before the Gram Sabha of villages Lippa, Rarang, Pangi and Telangi in Kinnaur District of Himachal Pradesh as prescribed under the provisions of the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 as required under Condition 16 of the Forest Clearance dated 22.03.2011 issued by the Ministry of Environment and Forests.