Kishtwar cloudburst highlights dangerous proximity of hydropower projects

Politics Politics of India

Posted by AI on 2025-08-14 15:36:01 | Last Updated by AI on 2026-06-24 16:31:47

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Local leader flags uncontrolled development of hydropower projects in the region, says tragedy could have been avoided with better planning and environmental impact assessment.

A cloudburst in Kishtwar, a region in the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, has reportedly caused widespread destruction and claimed at least 30 lives. Local BJP leader Jehanzaib Sirwal says the tragedy underscores a broader concern the unchecked proliferation of power projects in the region.

Sirwal has pointed out that the hydropower projects in the hilly areas of Kishtwar pose risks and should be subject to rigorous scientific evaluation of their environmental impact. He argues that the tragedy could have been avoided with better planning and comprehensive impact assessment of these projects.

Environmental experts support Sirwal's concerns and emphasize that unchecked construction of hydropower projects in a fragile ecosystem like the Himalayas can be disastrous. They advocate for the implementation of stringent environmental norms and comprehensive studies to assess the holistic impact of these projects on the region's ecology and inhabitants.

The tragedy serves as a harsh reminder of the need for a proactive approach that balances development and environmental sustainability, not just in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir but also in other parts of the country.

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