Activists urge ADB to review hydel projects in HP

SHIMLA: Environmental activists, opposing hydropower projects in Himachal, have asked Asian development Bank (ADB) to withhold loan for these projects and review its decision regarding the project.

In a joint petition addressed to Senior Energy Specialist, South Asia Regional Department, Asian Development Bank, environmentalists including Medha Patkar and Bharat Jhunjhunwala have urged the bank to review its decision on four projects under Clean Energy Development Programme on grounds of violation of safeguards.

Asking the ADB to steer clear of hydro power projects in ecologically sensitive areas like Kinnaur and Sainj and not to look purely about its economic interest, it said giving it a "green" colour amounts to a serious lack of ethics.