Sankhuwasabha: The District Coordination Committee (DCC) of Sankhuwasabha has urged the government not to grant permission for the construction of any hydropower project on the Barun River. The committee has drawn the attention of the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, arguing that the Barun River is not only a site of significant religious importance but also lies within the Makalu-Barun National Park and Conservation Area.
In a letter sent to the Prime Minister, DCC Chief Suman Shakya stated that information had been received indicating that certain individuals were pursuing approval procedures for a 132 MW hydropower project on the Barun River. The committee requested that the process be halted.
According to the DCC, energy experts estimate that rivers and streams in Sankhuwasabha, excluding the Barun River, have the potential to generate nearly 6,000 MW of electricity. The letter notes that around 75 MW of electricity is already being produced in the district and connected to the national grid. In addition, projects under development include 3,576 MW on the Arun River alone and approximately 600 MW from other rivers and streams.
The committee argues that refraining from developing a hydropower project on the Barun River would not cause any significant economic loss to either the district or the country, while the proposed project would mainly provide personal benefits to a limited number of individuals.
The letter also cites legal provisions related to infrastructure development in protected areas, maintaining that permission should not be granted for a 132 MW project on the Barun River. According to the DCC, the Supreme Court issued an interim order suspending the implementation of certain provisions of the Policy on Construction and Operation of Physical Infrastructure within Protected Areas, 2008, which had been amended and expanded through a Cabinet decision on May 27, 2021.
The committee claims that, as a result, the original provisions of the policy remain in force. Under those provisions, no structures, including power facilities, may be built within national parks or protected areas. Exceptions may only be granted for electricity projects with a capacity of less than 1 MW, provided they serve local consumers and are not connected to the national transmission grid.
The DCC further noted that the National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1973 prohibits activities within national parks and reserves that damage forest resources or involve blocking, diverting, or using harmful or explosive substances in rivers, streams, or water sources.
The committee also stated that Bhotkhola Rural Municipality has already decided to preserve the Barun River as a religious heritage site. According to Decision No. 12 of the municipality’s 13th Executive Meeting, the sacred Barun River in Ward No. 4 has been designated as a religious heritage asset, and all hydropower development activities within the river, which lies inside the Makalu-Barun National Park and Wildlife Conservation Area, are to be prohibited.
Based on these legal and policy grounds, the DCC has requested the Prime Minister to ensure that the relevant authorities and officials do not grant permission for any hydropower project on the Barun River.
In the letter issued on August 19, 2026 (Bhadra 3, 2083 BS), DCC Chief Suman Shakya emphasized the need to preserve the Barun River as a river of special religious significance to Sankhuwasabha.
Jalasarokar
