LAMJUNG, Feb 5: Local stakeholders have started taking initiative for promoting Lamjung as a model district for hydropower generation.

Hydropower projects have combined capacity of around 1,000 are under different stages of development in the district.

The then District Development Committee (DDC) had set a target of generating 1,000 MW in a decade. Though nine year has already elapsed since the target was set, the district is generating only 136.4 MW so far.

Lok Raj Pandey, chief of District Coordination Committee (DCC), Lamjung, said that preparation were underway to create environment conducive in the district to attract domestic and international investment in hydropower sector by analyzing past weaknesses.

Local Development Officer of Lamjung, Dilliram Sigdel, said that DCC has already held interaction with stakeholders for creating environment conducive for domestic and foreign investments in the district. In the interaction, Maghendra Pokhrel of DCC Lamjung, and Sailendra Guragain, President of Independent Power Producers Association, and Rajkumar Bista of a lobby committee formed by the locals had presented their papers on hydropower potentials of the district.

The interaction saw participation of lawmakers, provincial assembly members, leaders of different political parties, DCC representatives, hydropower investors, and media persons, among others.
Speaking at the interaction Member of Parliament Dev Prasad Gurung, and provincial assembly members Prithivi Subba Gurung and Dhananjaya Dawadi said that they would take needful initiative for addressing policy issues to promote hydropower development in the district.

Chief District Officer Yubaraj Adhikari, Mayor of Besishahar Municipality Gumansingh Aryal as well as leaders of different political parties pledged their support to develop Lamjung as a model district for hydropower development.

Mid-Marshyangdi Hydropower Project (70 MW), Upper Marshyangdi (50 MW), Siuri (5 MW), Radhi (4.4 MW), Khudi (4 MW), Chhyangdi (2 MW) and Syange (1MW) are the hydropower projects in Lamjung that have already started power generation.

According to DCC, eight more projects having combined capacity of 138.7 MW are in the last leg of development. Other under-construction projects have combined capacity of 830 MW.
The district has collected Rs 131.4 million as hydropower royalty in the past five years.

International Organizations such as United States Agency for International Development (USAID), World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Care Nepal, and Community Forest Consumers Centre etc are assisting the district to develop Lamjung as a model district for hydropower development, according to DCC Lamjung.  

Photo: Kisan Sangit Nepal
UML Secretary and Provincial Assembly Member, Prithvi Subba Gurung, addresses an interaction organized recently in Lamjung.

 
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