The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued notices to several government bodies and Chenab Valley Power Projects Pvt Ltd (CVPPL) following a petition alleging significant environmental degradation, landslides, and damage to residential properties surrounding the under-construction 540 MW Kwar hydroelectric project in the Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir. The Principal Bench of the NGT in New Delhi, presided over by Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava and Expert Member Dr. Afroz Ahmad, has formally requested responses from key stakeholders.
The directives were issued in response to an original application filed by Guddu Kumar and Sanjay Kumar, who are representing residents of Halqa Panchayat Padyarna in Block Nagseni, Kishtwar. The petition details a series of alleged environmental violations occurring during the execution of the Kwar hydropower project. Information reaching Tahir Rihat suggests that the applicants have raised serious concerns regarding the project’s impact on the local ecosystem and community infrastructure.
The tribunal’s decision to issue notices follows a review of the submissions made by advocate Muzzaffar Ali Shah, who is representing the petitioners. The applicants have specifically pointed to the improper disposal of muck generated from construction activities, alleging that it is being dumped on slopes. This practice, according to the petition, is adversely affecting the Chenab River and its surrounding basin. The NGT has acknowledged the gravity of these claims, noting that photographs submitted by the applicants corroborate these allegations of environmental damage.
Furthermore, the petition highlights the continuous and excessive use of blasting in the project area. The applicants contend that the resulting severe vibrations have caused substantial structural damage to houses in nearby villages, including Sumna Bhatta, Pullar, and Padyarna. According to the residents, repeated blasting has led to the formation of cracks in the walls and foundations of numerous homes, creating a direct threat to the safety and well-being of the local population. The petition emphasizes that this situation poses a significant risk to the community living in close proximity to the construction site.
Advocate Shah also informed the tribunal that local residents had previously lodged a formal complaint with the Deputy Commissioner of Kishtwar on May 5 of the previous year. This representation drew attention to the alleged illegal blasting and unauthorized stone-crushing activities associated with the Kwar project. The tribunal took note of these prior attempts by the residents to seek redressal for the issues they were facing due to the project’s ongoing development.
In its observation, the NGT recognized that the petition raises substantial issues concerning compliance with environmental norms and regulations. The tribunal also took into account the applicants’ reliance on Clause 5 of the Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOF) Risk Management Plan for Kishtwar. According to the petitioners, this plan had already identified potential high risks associated with dam construction in the region, underscoring the importance of adhering to stringent environmental safeguards. The NGT has now sought detailed responses from all the concerned authorities and project stakeholders before it proceeds further with the case. The matter has been scheduled for a further hearing on November 30, at which point the tribunal will likely review the submitted responses and decide on the next course of action to address the environmental and safety concerns raised by the residents of Kishtwar.
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, the Central Pollution Control Board, the J&K Pollution Control Committee, the Chief Secretary of J&K, the Deputy Commissioner of Kishtwar, and the Managing Director of CVPPL are among the entities that have been issued notices by the NGT. This broad scope of recipients indicates the tribunal’s intention to ensure a comprehensive investigation into the allegations and to secure accountability from all relevant parties involved in the Kwar hydroelectric project’s development and oversight. The outcome of this NGT proceeding could have significant implications for future infrastructure projects in ecologically sensitive areas of Jammu and Kashmir, emphasizing the critical need for rigorous environmental impact assessments and strict adherence to mitigation measures.
Tahir Rihat (also known as Tahir Bilal) is an independent journalist, activist, and digital media professional from the Chenab Valley of Jammu and Kashmir, India. He is best known for his work as the Online Editor at The Chenab Times.
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