ADANI INSTITUTE OF INFRASTRUCTURE MANAGEMENT

Infrastructure Policy and Regulation

TEHRI DAM Land Acquisition Issues and Environmental Impacts

Submitted to: Prof Satyam Shivam Sundaram

By, Group 4: Neeraj Mehra, Raja Bhattacharjee and Ujjayini Chakraborty

Introduction:

The Tehri Hydro Development Corporation (THDC) was incorporated in 1988 to implement and maintain hydro power projects in Bhagirathi-Bhilangnas valley in Uttarakhand (then Uttar Pradesh). It is a Joint Venture between the Government of India and Government of U.P with 75% of the funding provided by the central government and 25% by the state government. The state government would finance the entire irrigation portion of the project. The Tehri Dam is a multi-purpose on the Bhagirathi River near Tehri in Uttarakhand, India. It is the primary dam of the Tehri Hydro Development Corporation Ltd. and the Tehri hydroelectric complex. Construction of the Tehri Dam was complete in 2006 while the second part of the project, the Koteshwar Dam, is nearly complete with two out of four generators operational. The installed hydro capacity is 1,000 MW along with an additional 1,000 MW of pumped storage hydroelectricity.

Land Acquisition issues:

Maharajah Sudarshan Shah established the Tehri town as the capital of Garhwal in 1803. It is one of the most significant towns in the history of Uttarakhand. The project was to completely engulf Tehri town along with 40 villages and partially submerge another 72 villages. This would not only displace around 1 lakh people but would also hurt religious sentiments of lakhs of people. One of the noted protestor of the dam is the environmental activist Sunderlal Bahuguna, who once undertook a 74 day fast to register his protest. The rehabilitation work of the Project affected families was commenced by the Govt. of U.P. The Rehabilitation Policy including the location of New Tehri Town (NTT) was evolved after interaction with the representatives of the local population. Famous Landmarks like Clock Tower of Old Tehri was to be built in the New Tehri keeping sentiments of people in mind. The rehabilitation work was handed over to the THDC in 1990. The Rehabilitation Plan has been broadly divided into Rural Rehabilitation and Urban Rehabilitation. Affected families under Rural Rehabilitation are categorised as "Fully affected" or "Partially affected". The families whose 50% or more land is being acquired are treated as Fully Affected. Those families whose less than 50% land is coming under submergence are categorised as "Partially Affected". Fully affected will be allotted agricultural land or cash and will be settled in large blocks so that social life remains intact. On the demands for further improvements raised by the local population, the Government of India in September, 1996 constituted a committee viz. Hanumantha Rao Committee (HRC) to examine the Rehabilitation Policy of the Project and suggest further measures/improvements etc. The Govt. of India after examining the recommendations of HRC accepted certain additional benefits/measures, which were incorporated in the Rehabilitation Policy of 1998. After the Government decision of December 1998, on the recommendations of HRC, following measures/ benefits were also agreed by the Government of India in consultation with the State Government. Within the framework of the set principles, which guided the formation of Rehabilitation Policy, an attractive and a liberal rehabilitation package was evolved, which has been improved from time to time. Some of them are enhancement of cash in lieu of land from Rs. 2 lakh to Rs. 5 lakh; increase in cash grants for shifting and purchase of seeds and fertilizers; State government allowed in July01 payment of cash grants to shop keepers of old Tehri Town ranging from Rs. 1 lakh to Rs. 3 lakh depending on category of shop subject to the handing over of possession, etc.

Submitted by Neeraj Mehra, Raja Bhattacharjee and Ujjayini Chakraborty

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As per government decision, R&R works were transferred to the U.P. State Government in January 1999 for implementation, under control and supervision of Commissioner, Garhwal, with funds to be provided by THDC. With the formation of Uttaranchal State, R&R was being implemented by Uttarakhand Government since January, 2001. A Grievance Redressal Cell under the Sub Divisional Magistrate, Tehri, is functioning in the Rehabilitation Directorate, Uttarakhand Government for expeditious disposal of grievances received from PAFs. Following were the findings by ASCI, Hyderabad: 1. The value of assets of the oustees has increased after they got rehabilitated. 2. Income from agriculture has increased after rehabilitation. No one is engaged as agricultural labour after rehabilitation. 3. The annual income of the household after rehabilitation has risen by 34.67%. 4. The new settlements are provided with pakka buildings with furnishings and electricity. 5. The new settlements provide very good medical facilities which were not available to the rural households in the hilly area. 6. Drinking water facilities have been provided in the new-resettlements and L.P.G. connections have been made available as against the traditional collection of water from springs and wood from forests in the hills. 7. The new houses are bigger and modern. 8. Agricultural land allotted in consolidated holdings as against fragmented holdings earlier. There was a long delay in the project. Though R&R was started in the year 1976, it was delayed due to change in size and design of Project; State Government, who was earlier executing the Project, could not provide funds in time; THDC was created as a joint venture of Govt. of India and State Government; Project was finally cleared in the year 1994; thereafter agitations against the Projects by environmentalist picked up; ban on blasting was imposed by the Government; Uttarakhand agitation, delay in closure of Tunnel T3/T4 due to delayed shifting of population; court cases etc. The undue delay thus caused uncertainties for a long period of time resulting in the mental frustrations; social disorganisation etc. Lot of efforts were made by THDC as well as State Government Officials, even at the level of Coordination Committee, but the land availability could not be explored, as the people, who already got meagre land due to population pressure did not want to become landless/job-less. Whenever the proposals for land acquisition were initiated, the host population started agitations and ultimately at a number of occasions, the proposals had to be cancelled/withdrawn. Ultimately the State Government of Uttaranchal and Government of India agreed for diversion of forest land for developing the resettlement colonies.

Environmental Impacts:
Thorough studies were conducted for the likely impacts of dam and its reservoir on surrounding environment by expert agencies. Besides the displacement and relocation of more than 1 lakh people, there were environmental concerns as the dam is located in a highly seismic zone. Probable Environmental impacts identified were: 1. Change in the (i) water chemistry, especially with respect to dissolved oxygen and (ii) turbidity of water. 2. Impact on biodiversity, i.e., flora and fauna of the area. 3. Obstruction of movements of migrating fish species during breeding season. 4. Rivers carry a lot of sediment, which on construction of a dam, will be locked up behind the dam wall. The collected silt in the reservoir eats away the capacity of the reservoir. This impact of reducing the capacity and life of reservoir was studied. 5. Water accumulation on the upstream side of the dam, which causes inundation of land including forest-land. 6. Water-logging and salinity of the land in the command area.

Submitted by Neeraj Mehra, Raja Bhattacharjee and Ujjayini Chakraborty

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Following mitigating measures were taken: 1. Compensatory Afforestation: Project has completed the compensatory afforestation in an area of 4586.07 ha in Lalitpur and Jhansi District. In addition, for 1358.20 ha. Forestland diverted in second phase for rural resettlement, the compensatory afforestation has been carried out in 2716.40 ha of degraded forest-land of Khanpur forest range in Haridwar District. 2. Catchment Area Treatment: In order to reduce soil erosion, the Tehri Project had completed the Catchment Area Treatment (CAT) in the entire degraded catchment, in areas of high and very high erosion class. The total degraded area treated is 52,204 ha. The main objective of CAT works was to check soil erosion and resultant siltation in the reservoir. 3. Command Area Development: Command Area Development Plan had been implemented by the Irrigation Departments of the State Governments of Uttarakhand and U.P. In order to mitigate the likely problem of water-logging and salinity, the network of field channels and drains were developed. The canal networks are utilized to irrigate 2.7 lakhs ha additional area as well as stabilize existing irrigation area in 6.04 lakhs ha. 4. Flora: In CAT works, the species as recommended by Botanical Survey of India (BSI), based on their flora study of the area, have been planted. A Botanical Garden in an area of 14.28 ha has also been established and plantation of special species coming under submergence has been completed, so as to preserve important flora of the region. 5. Fauna: As per Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), there will be no adverse impact on mammals, Birds, Reptiles, Ambhibia and Pisces due to proposed reservoir except on Tor-Putitora (Mahseer Fish). As suggested by ZSI, action plan for possible mitigation of Mahseer fish was framed. The implementation of this action plan was taken up with the National Research Centre on Cold Water Fisheries (NRCCWF), ICAR, Bhimtal. The Mahseer Fish Hatchery and fish Farm have been developed and is in operation. The faunal study have also pointed that the formation of proposed reservoir with a massive water exposure on about 42 sq. km., a large number of migratory birds may be attracted to the area, thus adding to the aesthetic and tourism aspect of the Project. 6. Water Quality Maintenance: The water quality modelling study had been carried out, which concluded that no specific measures are required and there would be no adverse effect on the water quality due to impoundment. However, the work on water quality monitoring on Tehri Reservoir, both upstream and downstream is being carried out at 5 monitoring stations. The water quality study also concluded that Dissolved Oxygen (D.O.) and Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) in whole of reservoir are expected to remain within permissible limits desired for drinking water resources. 7. Green Belt: A green Belt have been planned to be created along the rim of the reservoir between 850 m above MSL and 1050 m above MSL. The idea for developing the green belt is to check soil erosion and resultant siltation of the reservoir; to protect and regenerate the vegetation in the rim area; to increase the natural beauty of the landscape. 8. Impact on Human Health A comprehensive study of the potential health impacts of Tehri dam was conducted. National Malaria Eradication Programme (NMEP) and Malaria Research Centre (MRC) carried out detailed field investigations of the area. Action-plan for preventive/mitigation measures is being implemented. Dust pollution in project area was kept under control by regular sprinkling of water. Dust pollution levels were also monitored at the project site and habitat area by conducting the study on the samples so collected. The failure of the dam, where the structure collapses and allows the reservoir to partially or totally drain out, is a catastrophe for downstream ecosystems and human populations. There are many causes of dam failure. It can be due to faulty design or construction, use of sub-standard materials, over-topping due to surplus water, deliberate sabotage or bombing or because of severe earthquakes. In some cases, whereas the dam structure might remain intact, the neighbouring hillsides crumble having the same effect as the dam collapsing. According to a presentation made by the MoEF to the Prime Minister of India, if the Tehri dam burst, in less than an hour and a half, the water would hit Rishikesh and Haridwar and wipe out these two cities.

Submitted by Neeraj Mehra, Raja Bhattacharjee and Ujjayini Chakraborty

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Due to those uncertainties on various issues like Dam Safety, Environmental issues the project suffered a number of delays on account of this and work could not be started as per the original schedule in 1994. Due to delay in project commissioning and start-up, the project was effectively started in 1997 and subsequently this project was again approved by the CCEA with revised cost estimates and involving a number of design, safety, environment calling for a number of expert consultation and committee constitutions for the same owing to the various agitations caused by the residents of Tehri Town.

Conclusions:
The major achievement in Tehri Dam Project is its successful implementation of rehabilitation and resettlement plan for the involuntarily displaced populace including sentiments associated with heritage of old Tehri township. The rehabilitation plan was categorized into rural and urban rehabilitation and implemented accordingly. This age-old town is resettled in New Tehri town located on the right bank of the Tehri reservoir at an altitude of 1,600 m. About 5,300 families are rehabilitated and resettled with modern urban facilities. The environmental impacts have been studied in detail and appropriate actions have been taken to make sure that the flora and fauna of the regions are not affected.

References: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. http://seven-sisters.blogspot.com/2005/11/tehri-sinking-town.html http://thdc.gov.in/ http://www.nepjol.info/index.php/HN/article/view/2481/2214 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tehri_Dam http://ahec.org.in/links/water4welfare/IMPACT%20OF%20TEHRI%20DAM%20LESSONS%2 0LEARNT.pdf 6. http://www.asci.org.in/ConsultancyComletedProject.aspx

Submitted by Neeraj Mehra, Raja Bhattacharjee and Ujjayini Chakraborty

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