Sirkari Bhyol Rupasiya Bagad Hydroelectric Project

• 28 May 2025

Why in News? 

The Sirkari Bhyol Rupasiya Bagad Hydroelectric Project in Uttarakhand has received in-principle approval (preliminary or conditional agreement ) from the Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC). 

Key Points 

Sirkari Bhyol Rupasiya Bagad Hydroelectric Project 

• Project Overview: 
  • The project is located on the Gori Ganga River in the Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand. 
  • It is planned to have an installed capacity of 120 megawatts (MW). 
  • The FAC has approved the diversion of 29.997 hectares of forest land required for the project’s implementation. 
• Infrastructure Design & Impact: 
  • The project includes approximately 1 km of tunnel construction. 
  • The majority of the project infrastructure will be built underground, which helps in reducing the environmental footprint. 
  • There will be no displacement of local populations due to the project. 
  • The site does not fall within any national park, wildlife sanctuary, or eco-sensitive zone, ensuring minimal ecological disruption. 
• Energy Potential of the Project: 
  • The project is expected to generate around 529 million units of clean, renewable energy annually. 
  • This generation will help meet local energy demands and contribute significantly to Uttarakhand’s energy independence. 
• Socio-Economic Impact: 
  • The project will create both temporary jobs during the construction phase and permanent employment opportunities once operational. 
  • It will also lead to the improvement of local infrastructure, including roads and public facilities. 
  • These developments are expected to reduce migration from the region by enhancing economic opportunities for local residents. 

Forest Advisory Committee (FAC)? 

• It is a statutory body which was constituted by the Forest (Conservation) Act 1980. 
• The FAC evaluates industrial projects which require forest land for their activities. 
• The committee may or may not approve a project and can give approval for forest land to be diverted, after imposing certain conditions. 

Gori Ganga River 

• The Gori Ganga River, also known as Ghori Ganga or Gori Gad, flows through the Munsiyari tehsil of Pithoragarh district in Uttarakhand. 
• It originates from the Milam Glacier, located northeast of Nanda Devi, and travels a course of approximately 104 kilometers before merging with the Kali River at Jauljibi. 
• A significant tributary, the Gonga stream, joins the Gori Ganga near the Milam village, just 1 km below the glacier snout. 
• Geographical Significance: 
  • The river valley acts as a drainage basin for numerous glaciers and streams that descend from the eastern slopes of the Nanda Devi Sanctuary, and from the Panchachuli, Rajramba, and Chaudhara mountain ranges. 
  • Other notable contributors include the Ralam Gad, Pyunsani Gadera, and the Kalabaland–Burfu Kalganga glacier system, which feed into the Gori Ganga from the east. 
• Tourism Potential: 
  • The Gori Ganga Valley is also known for its scenic trekking routes leading to iconic Himalayan peaks such as Nanda Devi East, Hardeol, Trishuli, Panchachuli, and Nanda Kot. 
  • The valley holds both ecological value and adventure tourism potential, making it an area of multifaceted importance.