Sawalkot Hydro: A New Chapter for J&K Power

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change’s Forest Advisory Committee has granted in-principle approval for the diversion of over 847 hectares of reserved forest and 'jungle-jhari' land in Jammu & Kashmir’s Ramban district for the 1,856 MW Sawalkot Hydroelectric Project (HEP). The decision, taken on June 24, marks a key strategic step in prioritising national interests and energy security.

Final clearance is pending environmental approval from the Union Territory administration. The Sawalkot HEP is designed to harness the hydropower potential of the Chenab River—one of the three western rivers (alongside the Indus and Jhelum) whose waters are governed by the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) with Pakistan. Following India's suspension of the IWT’s implementation, the country is moving to assert its rights to utilise these water resources for non-consumptive purposes such as hydroelectric power generation.

According to the meeting minutes, the Forest Advisory Committee considered a June 12 request from the Union Home Ministry to waive cumulative impact assessment (CIA) and carrying capacity studies (CCS), citing national security imperatives.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.