A STUDY OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN OF A RIVER VALLEY PROJECT IN HIMACHAL PRADESH

Many hydro- electric and multi- purpose river valley projects have suffered large time and cost over runs, either due to environmental activities or inadequate care in implementing the stipulated environmental safeguards. The Environmental Monitoring Committees (EMCs) for river valley projects have been constituted at the instance of the Ministry of Water Resources as multidisciplinary groups having representation of various ministries and expert agencies, at national, state and project levels. This article reviews the need of construction of large dams in India. We also briefly present the mechanism and institutional aspects of assessment, appraisal, and monitoring of environmental impacts of river valley projects in India, namely The Chamera Project in Himachal Pradesh