NEW DELHI: The two hydro-electric power projects under construction on the Mandakini river need not be scrapped despite complaints from environmental activists, according to a recommendation made by a team of the Union Ministry of Environment & Forests. However, the inspection team has recommended that steps be taken to ensure that at least ten per cent of the minimum flow must be released during the lean season so that the natural condition of the river's flow can be maintained. It has also suggested that the four other hydel projects planned on the river must not be granted clearances in isolation. Instead, the cumulative impact on environment and forests of all six projects must be assessed in totality, said the report which was submitted to the Ministry on Wednesday. The team inspected the sites of the Phata-Byung and Singoli-Bhatwari projects in Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand on May 29 and 30. This was in response to a delegation to the Ministry headed by CPI (M) leader and Member of Parliament Brinda Karat, who represented complaints made by an NGO called Kedar Ghati Vachao Sangharsh Samiti. The team also said that as village water sources were drying up due to tunnelling for the project, the project authorities must provide alternate water supplies. In March, a Group of Ministers had scrapped two large hydel projects being constructed on the Bhagirathi. The GoM is scheduled to decide the fate of a third project on July 2.