Harnessing ‘water tower’ into ‘power tower’: A small hydropower development study from an Indian prefecture in western Himalayas

Himalayan region is called the ‘water tower of Asia’. This ‘water tower’ is now being harnessed into ‘power tower’ by many Himalayan countries (China, India, Nepal, Bhutan etc.) in the form of small and large hydropower projects. Himachal Pradesh, located in this region is known as ‘power state’ of India. The state has developed well framed policies and guidelines for growth of hydropower sector in the state. It has emerged as role model for identification, allotment and harnessing of small hydropower projects not only in India but in the whole Himalayan region. However, in the recent past, the growth of small hydropower projects is not as impressive as predicted. Local natural resources, ecology and livelihood of the local people are being destroyed in the garb of local development and false promises of employment. Benefits of this so called golden harvest are not being transferred to native people as envisaged. This article presents small hydropower development in a global, Indian and Himachal Pradesh perspective. It expresses in detail the current status, policy guidelines, challenges, initiatives taken by state, future scope and suggestions for smooth development of small hydropower projects in this beautiful, hydro rich hilly state of India. It is concluded that framing of policies favoring sustainable development and their effective implementation at grass-root level (involving all stakeholders) can only set the ball rolling for desired pace of small hydropower development in the state. Bringing of small hydropower projects in the ambit of environmental clearance process has also been advocated.