Here is a short video made by Srishti Films & Kalpavriksh, for @VikalpSangam on Kuhls, the traditional low-cost irrigation system of #HimachalPradesh . But small hydro projects (SHP) are rendering these Kuhls useless.
https://youtu.be/uYRw3p1vPPY ">https://youtu.be/uYRw3p1vP... via @YouTube @chikikothari

@nivedita_Him shares in this story how the diversion tunnel of an SHP in Palampur district of Himachal has killed the traditional kuhls. Besides, the small hydropower projects have impacts on riverine ecology, forest cover and traditional livelihoods. https://www.indiawaterportal.org/articles/irrigation-systems-himachal-threatened-hydropower-projects">https://www.indiawaterportal.org/articles/...

In this piece, @Indian_Rivers shares how hiding information re submergence, making false claims such as SHP don’t need dams and dubious clubbing of small projects, have led to impacts all across India. #more-4507">https://sandrp.in/2015/02/16/draft-mission-on-small-hydro-projects-encouraging-investment-ignoring-impacts/?fbclid=IwAR3OYToA3PvrytBsC18VEswjEiydMZO764VamEbCCF3aqulmTQ6SrINg-aU #more-4507">https://sandrp.in/2015/02/1...

However, until now SHPs didn’t come under the purview of EIA. Here is a letter from 2013 by close to 50 experts and organisations requesting the envt ministry to bring SHPs under EIA Notification. @Indian_Rivers https://sandrp.in/2013/11/11/address-impacts-of-small-hydel-projects/">https://sandrp.in/2013/11/1...

In #DraftEIA2020 SHPs (<25 MW) have been added in its schedule. But nothing to cheer here. They have been added as B2 projects, which only need an EP. In all likelihood, their impacts would still go unregulated.

Why? Because EP doesnt need:
-Scoping,
-EIA report,
-Appraisal by expert committee,
-Public Consultation.
EP is granted:
-In maximum 15 days.
-Online
-With Standard conditions (end of thread)