Lakhwar-Vyasi project cleared by Centre this year is a violation of Supreme Court order, says expert The Uttarakhand government is pushing for more hydropower projects in the state even through a Supreme Court-appointed panel of experts blamed existing hydel power projects in the state for the Uttarakhand flood disaster of 2013. The panel has sought complete overhaul of the environment clearance mechanism for such projects. The state government has even managed to obtain clearance for the Lakhwar Vyasi hydropower project in the Yamuna valley that was stalled for several years. The expert panel headed by Ravi Chopra was set up by the Union environment ministry on the order of the Supreme Court last August to determine if hydroelectric power projects contributed to the flood disaster. The panel in its report submitted to the Supreme Court said that the there should be laws to protect rivers and designate eco-sensitive zones for all rivers in the state. The panel also sought immediate notification of a river regulation zone by the ministry. The report was submitted to the ministry on April 16.

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