Sukhu seeks Centre nod for scientific dredging in Himachal rivers
NEW DELHI, SEPTEMBER 8: Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has sought clearance and enabling guidelines from the Centre for scientific dredging of flood-hit rivers, saying accumulated silt, sand, boulders and debris are reducing river carrying capacity and aggravating flood risks.
At a meeting with Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav, Sukhu urged the Ministry to create a separate river-dredging category on the PARIVESH portal, keeping it distinct from conventional mining. He also sought exemption from compensatory afforestation, arguing that dredging is aimed at restoring river flow and protecting lives and infrastructure, rather than diverting forest land for non-forest use.
The Chief Minister said dredging would be carried out only on the basis of scientific assessments, replenishment studies and detailed plans, during the non-monsoon period and in accordance with environmental safeguards.
Yadav assured Sukhu that clear and enabling guidelines would be issued and that Himachal's practical requirements would be given due consideration. However, no specific timeline for issuing the guidelines or granting project clearances was announced.
Dredging refers to the controlled removal of accumulated material from a river channel to clear obstructions and restore its water-carrying capacity. For Himachal, the proposed dredging is being projected as a flood-management and disaster-risk-reduction measure, not conventional mining.
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