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Environmental sustainability of run of the river hydropower projects: A study from western Himalayan region of India

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  • Kumar, Deepak
  • Katoch, S.S.

Abstract

Run of the river (RoR) hydropower projects are generally considered more environmentally sustainable as compared to their reservoir based counterparts. Further, impacts of these projects are supposed to be in proportion to their installed capacity. Large numbers of this category of hydropower projects in different size ranges are coming up in Himalayan regions. Un-sustainable construction/operation practices adopted during development and/or running of these projects are posing an environmental threat to this fragile and youngest mountain range of the world. This research paper presents a public perception cum data collection study on the environmental impacts of small and large RoR hydropower projects located in western Himalayan region of India. A structured questionnaire was designed to collect the primary data pertaining to intangible impacts while secondary data was collected to analyse tangible environmental parameters. The study concludes that every environmental impact of SHPs is not 'small' as compared to LHPs. Ignoring the environmental impacts of SHPs may not be a good practice.

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  • Kumar, Deepak & Katoch, S.S., 2016. "Environmental sustainability of run of the river hydropower projects: A study from western Himalayan region of India," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 93(C), pages 599-607.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:93:y:2016:i:c:p:599-607
    DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2016.03.032
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    2. Kumar Sharma, Ameesh & Thakur, N.S., 2017. "Assessing the impact of small hydropower projects in Jammu and Kashmir: A study from north-western Himalayan region of India," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 80(C), pages 679-693.
    3. Kumar Sharma, Ameesh & Thakur, N.S., 2017. "Energy situation, current status and resource potential of run of the river (RoR) large hydro power projects in Jammu and Kashmir: India," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 78(C), pages 233-251.
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