Tribals of Lahaul-Spiti Rise in Revolt Against Telangana MoU for Hydropower Projects

Shimla/Keylong March 30 – The people of Lahaul-Spiti have sounded the bugle of resistance against the Himachal Pradesh government's signing of an MoU with Telangana for the construction of two mega hydroelectric projects—Miyar (120 MW) and Seli (400 MW).

The Seli is located on the Chandra Bhaga River  while the Miyar is located on the Miyar tributary of Chandra Bhaga River located in the fragile Miyar Valley in Udaipur Sub division of the tribal district. 

Save Lahaul-Spiti Society, a prominent voice for tribal rights and environmental protection, has condemned the agreement, calling it a blatant disregard for the fragile ecosystem of the region.

"The entire Lahaul valley is in seismic zones 4 and 5, making it highly vulnerable to earthquakes and landslides.

This region has already witnessed devastating floods, and yet the government seems adamant about pushing projects that will only worsen the crisis," said B.S. Rana, president of Save Lahaul-Spiti Society.

The opposition to these projects is not new. The Seli power project was previously awarded to Moserbaer, a company that faced stiff resistance from locals and environmental groups.

The government’s latest move to hand over these projects to Telangana has only reignited anger among the people.

"These projects are nothing but a death knell for our fragile mountains and glaciers. We cannot allow outsiders to exploit our resources while ignoring the voices of the native tribals," Rana asserted.

The local communities have long advocated for sustainable development through eco-tourism and traditional practices rather than large-scale projects that threaten their way of life.

"We have seen how unchecked hydropower development has led to disasters in other parts of the Himalayas. Lahaul-Spiti will not be the next victim of reckless policymaking," said a local activist.

The government, however, has remained tight-lipped on the mounting opposition.

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, who facilitated the MoU signing in Shimla on March 29, has yet to respond to the outcry from Lahaul-Spiti.

With the tribal communities and environmental groups gearing up for protests, the coming days are likely to witness a fierce battle between the people and the government over the fate of Lahaul-Spiti’s pristine environment.