The government has decided to set up 300 MW hydropower project on the Uttarganga River by changing its course to Baglung. The locals staged protests as the government´s team is preparing to carry out survey of the project, saying the course of the river should not be changed. [break]
The agitating locals have also formed Uttarganga Stakeholders Committee (USC) to press the government authorities not to act against their interests. The committee has also demanded that the government revoke the decision to set up the hydropower plant inside the hunting reserve.
On April 29, a secretary-level meeting held under the coordination of Chief Secretary Lilamani Poudel had decided to change the course of Uttarganga River from Rukum to Baglung for construction of the hydropower project. The existing laws do not allow construction of any project inside conservation areas and wildlife reserves.
Changing the course of the river would affect locals of Rukum, Jajarkot, Salyan, Surkhet, Banke and Bardiya districts as the locals rely on the water from Utterganga for irrigation and other purposes, said Tajendra Kham Magar, president of USC.
Likewise, wildlife conservationists assume that changing the course of the river would also affect aquatic animals, birds and wildlife in the hunting reserve.
Utterganga River flows from Myagadi toward Rukum.
Related story
Change of Guard and OBOR
