”The Chenab, one of the five major river basins in Himachal, remains the least exploited basin for hydro electricity generation. The government is hellbent on killing the only living river (in the state),” the letter said.
The Chenab basin is characterised by difficult terrain and fragile and loose mountains.
”In such an area, construction of reservoirs and tunnels will have serious implications.
Any rise in temperature and rainfall can bring havoc in the form of landslides and can cause disasters similar to the kind in Leh in August 2010,” it said.
Environmentalist R.S. Negi said the hydroelectric projects would severely affect local natural water sources in Lahaul like in another remote district of Kinnaur.
