Kathmandu: The Independent Power Producers’ Association, Nepal (IPPAN) has called on Minister for Forests Gita Chaudhary to intervene after Langtang National Park directed a halt to the construction of five hydropower projects with a combined capacity of 153 MW.
A delegation led by IPPAN President Ganesh Karki met Minister Chaudhary on Wednesday and urged her to create an environment where nationally prioritized hydropower projects can move forward without delay.
In a memorandum submitted to the minister, IPPAN stated that there is significant potential for hydropower development within the national park area, and that obstructing projects whose Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) have already been approved discourages the private sector.
President Karki said it is a policy contradiction that one government body grants project development permits and another halts construction.
“On one hand, permits are issued for project development, and on the other hand, construction is stopped, which has created confusion in the private sector,” he said. “Delays in tree cutting approvals and land use permissions for years, and stopping work even after approvals from other agencies, must end.”
He added that with the government’s target of generating 30,000 MW of electricity within 10 years, such obstacles will make the goal difficult to achieve. He also noted that as the government prepares to introduce a “sunset law,” the ministry should play an active role in facilitating projects.
In response, Minister Gita Chaudhary said the ministry would help resolve issues seen in hydropower projects and is preparing policy reforms to address development-related complexities.
Recently, Langtang National Park directed the halt of five hydropower projects under construction in Sindhupalchok: the 36.5 MW Bramhayani, 20.52 MW Upper Bramhayani , 9.7 MW Bramhayani -A, 40 MW Balefi Khola, and 46 MW Upper Balefi projects, totaling 153 MW.
IPPAN Senior Vice President Mohan Kumar Dangi said projects that are already proceeding based on approvals from various government bodies and EIA clearance from the Ministry of Forests should be facilitated rather than stopped.
According to IPPAN, since most hydropower projects in Nepal fall within protected areas, such decisions could impact potential projects totaling around 50,000 MW. The association has demanded that the directive from the national park be immediately withdrawn and that an uninterrupted environment for project construction be ensured.
IPPAN also met Director General of the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation, Buddhisagar Paudel, the same day and urged a review of the construction halt directive.
Jalasarokar
