Bandipore, May 21: On the eve of International Biodiversity Day experts have pointed out that the construction of 320 Megawatt Kishenganga Hydro Electric Power Project (KGHEPP) in the fragile Bandipore and Gurez forests would hit the wildlife and natural resources.
 Scientists on visit to these forests in this north Kashmir district, nearly 65 kms from Srinagar, have pointed out that several valuable migratory fish species like Masheer and trout could face extinction after the flow of Kishen Ganga river is impounded or its course is diverted.  
 “ As the construction work is progressing many massive structures and macadamized roads have come up in the forest area. This has caused maximum damage to biodiversity,” DrMansoor Ahmed Rather, heading the team of scientists, told Greater Kashmir.
 “The natural habitat of wildlife has been disturbed due to which lots of problems have arisen. Everyone seems to have ignored these factors,” Dr Rather added.
 Other team members were of the opinion that National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC), the executing agency, has ‘failed’ to make an in-depth assessment about the impact that project would have on the environment.
 A top official of the Forest department said that thousands of trees have been chopped  till date and nearly 150 hectares of forestland has been diverted towards the KGHEPP. “These factors have hit the bio diversity directly,” he added.
 The officials of the Wildlife department claimed the area diverted for the project was home to endangered snow-leopards, hangul deer, barking deer, musk deer, black bear, markhor, ibex, marmot,monkeys and several exotic species of flowers and plants.
 “Nearly 125 hectares of forest land has been diverted for dam construction in Gurez.  Similarly 50 hectares were diverted to construct a tunnel and power house in Bandipore where at least 10,000 trees were chopped,” an official of the Forest department said.  
 Repeated attempts to contact the Chief Engineer NHPC Khalid Umer proved futile as he didn’t pick up the phone,
 When contacted Deputy Commissioner Bandipore Muhammad Sharief Saud said, “Before initiating the work on the Project utmost care to protect biodiversity was taken.”

Lastupdate on : Fri, 21 May 2010 21:30:00 Mecca time
Lastupdate on : Fri, 21 May 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sat, 22 May 2010 00:00:00 IST