Centre’s panel recommends in-principle forest diversion nod for Kirthai-II mission | India Information
3 min learnNew DelhiUp to date: Jun 23, 2026 05:33 PM IST
The Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) of the Ministry of Surroundings, Forest and Local weather Change has really helpful in-principle approval for diversion of 197 hectares of forest land for the 820 MW Kirthai-II hydroelectric mission on the Chenab River in Jammu and Kashmir.
The mission was really helpful for a grant of environmental clearance in 2021, however was topic to the grant of in-principle forest clearance because the mission website is situated in a reasonable to dense, high-mountainous forest space.
Kirthai-II turns into the third hydroelectric mission deliberate on the Chenab to obtain approvals from the Surroundings Ministry because the suspension of the Indus Water Treaty within the wake of the Pahalgam terror assault.
The Centre has moved to expedite hydel initiatives stalled or proposed within the Indus basin because the Treaty’s suspension. Sawalkote, Dulhasti–II, Ratle, Pakal Dul, Kwar, Kiru, and Kirthai Stage I and II are among the initiatives deliberate on the Chenab River.
Beneath IWT, Pakistan managed the waters of the Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab, whereas India managed the waters of the Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej.
At the same time as a number of initiatives are proposed within the Chenab basin, the Jammu and Kashmir administration has allotted with the requirement for cumulative impression evaluation and carrying capability for the Indus, Chenab, and Jhelum, in view of their strategic nature and the necessity to absolutely utilise their water.
Diminished proposed capability
The in-principle forest clearance was really helpful throughout FAC’s June 10 assembly, as per the minutes of its assembly.
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FAC’s minutes present Kirthai–II will likely be a run-of-the-river mission, and its unique proposed capability of 930 MW has now been lowered to 820 MW.
As per the mission paperwork, Kirthai–I is upstream, and the Kiru mission is downstream of Kirthai–II. A 121-metre-high concrete gravity dam will likely be constructed in Padder tehsil of Kishtwar district.
As many as 8,723 bushes will likely be felled for the mission website, which options dense forest comprising Pine species, Silver Fir, Oak species, and different temperate and broadleaf bushes.
The mission website is a pure habitat of Chilgoza Pine bushes. The Himalayan Tahr, Asiatic Black Bear, Himalayan Brown Bear, and Asiatic Ibex are additionally current on the mission website, the divisional forest officer mentioned in his report back to the FAC.
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The ministry panel has directed the implementation of a wildlife biodiversity administration plan and habitat administration plan, together with an animal passage plan.
The mission will likely be carried out by the Chenab Valley Energy Tasks Ltd, a three way partnership of the Nationwide Hydroelectric Energy Company and the Jammu and Kashmir State Energy Improvement Company Restricted.
