NGT issues notice to Govt on allegations of environmental degradation at Kishtwar’s Kwar hydroelectric project
In a significant order, the National Green Tribunal (NGT), Principal Bench, New Delhi, comprising Justice Prakash Shrivastava, Chairperson and Dr. Afroz Ahmad, Expert Member, issued notices to Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, GOI, New Delhi; Secretary, Ministry of New & Renewable Energy, GOI; Chairperson, Central Pollution Control Board, Delhi; Chairperson, J&K Pollution Control Committee; the Chief Secretary, UT of J&K; Deputy Commissioner, Kishtwar and Managing Director, Chenab Valley Power Projects Pvt. Ltd. (CVPPL), returnable by or before the next date of hearing, i.e. 30-11-2026.
These notices were issued in an Original Application (O.A.) No. 348/2026 filed by Guddu Kumar and Sanjay Kumar on behalf of the public of Halqa Panchayat, Padyarna of Block Nagseni, District Kishtwar, highlighting the catastrophic effects of ongoing illegal activities in the name of developmental works at the hands of Chenab Valley Power Projects Pvt. Ltd. (CVPPL), executing the work of the Hydroelectric Project in Kwar, Kishtwar, especially in view of the recent landslide, development of cracks in the land as well as houses/structures of the inhabitants, due to which the entire population is in a state of shock, fear and deep concern for their lives, property and livestock.
After hearing Advocate Muzzaffar Ali Shah, the National Green Tribunal took serious note of the matter and observed that the applicants have raised a plea that in the course of construction of the 540 MW Kwar Hydro-Electric Power Project, there is a violation of the norms and muck is being dumped on the slopes, affecting the Chenab River and its basin. The NGT also observed that, in support of such allegations, the applicants have referred to the photographs which have been placed on record along with the O.A.
Advocate Muzzaffar Ali Shah further submitted that the respondents are carrying out continuous, extensive and excessive blasting operations in the project area, resulting in severe vibrations which have caused structural damage to residential houses in nearby villages, including Sumna Bhatta, Pullar and Padyarna. Advocate Shah further submitted that, due to repeated blasting, several residential houses have developed cracks in walls and foundations, thereby posing a serious and imminent threat to the life and safety of the inhabitants. He further submitted that the operation of stone crushers, heavy vehicular movement and continuous construction activities associated with the project have resulted in excessive and uncontrolled emission of dust particles in the surrounding areas.
Advocate Muzzaffar Ali Shah vehemently argued that being aggrieved by the environmentally destructive activities at an eco-fragile zone, the applicants had submitted a detailed representation dated 05-05-2025 to the Deputy Commissioner, Kishtwar highlighting the ongoing illegal blasting and unauthorized stone crushing under the guise of the Kwar Hydro-Electric Project and when no effective remedial action was taken, the applicants submitted a reminder dated 09-07-2025, upon which the office of the Deputy Commissioner, Kishtwar directed the Chenab Valley Power Projects Pvt. Ltd. (CVPPL) to submit a detailed report to his office within three days positively. He further submitted that, despite this formal direction, no effective remedial action has been taken till date, thereby compelling the applicants to approach the NGT.
After considering the submissions of Advocate M. A. Shah, the NGT observed that the application raises substantial issue relating to the compliance of the environmental norms and the applicants have placed reliance upon Clause 5 of the Glacial Lake Outburst Flood(s) [GLOF] Risk Management Plan for District Kishtwar and submitted that in this report, high risk from GLOF was already reflected in the construction of the dam.
Looking into the importance of the matter, the NGT directed its Registry to list this matter on 30-11-2026.