The Jangi Thopan Powari project, located in Kinnaur district on the Sutlej river, has long been considered a key component of Himachal Pradesh’s power strategy. However, in 2023, the government cancelled the previous allocation of the project to SJVN Limited, citing the company’s failure to meet critical deadlines. The transfer of the project to HPPCL is expected to bring greater focus to it and accelerate its development, enabling the state to meet its renewable energy goals more effectively.
Environmental and community challenges
The project has been the subject of controversy, with local communities and environmental groups raising concerns over its ecological impact. Kinnaur, a cold desert region, relies heavily on its fragile water resources, including mountain springs fed by glaciers, for agriculture and drinking water. Critics argue that the construction of tunnels for the project will severely disrupt the region’s hydrology, impacting water availability and threatening the livelihoods of local farmers, who depend on horticulture and off-season vegetable production.
The region is also home to some of the largest Chilgoza pine forests, an endangered species of pine known for its edible seeds. Environmentalists warn that previous hydropower projects in the region have already caused significant deforestation, with thousands of Chilgoza trees felled. The Jangi Thopan Powari project, they argue, risks causing further damage to the region’s fragile ecosystem, including these vital forests.
Additionally, local gram panchayats, especially in the tribal areas of Kinnaur, have opposed it. As per Indian law, projects in tribal areas require a no-objection certificate from local bodies, but this process has reportedly been ignored in the past, leading to tensions between the government and local communities.
In addition, the cabinet also approved the allocation of two more large hydropower projects—the 1630 MW Renukaji and 270 MW Thana Plauen Pumped Storage Hydro Electric Projects—to HPPCL. The move is part of the state’s larger strategy to strengthen its renewable energy capacity, focused on maximizing the potential of its vast river systems.
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