Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

HYDROPOWER PROJECTS AND AIR POLLUTION IN THE NORTHWESTERN INDIAN HIMALAYAS

Renu Lata, Madhuri Rishi, Rajkumar Herojeet and Konchok Dolma

Abstract

Polluted air causes numerous fatal diseases to living things. The present paper discusses the ambient air quality around the Sorang Hydropower Project (100 MW) in district Kinnaur. The analysed air quality parameters are Sulphur Dioxide (SO2), Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx), Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM) and Respirable Suspended Particulate Matter (RSPM) where their concentration levels are well below the permissible limits for residential, rural and other areas. Higher SPM was observed in the study area which may be due to construction of roads, movement of automobiles and various other hydro activities in the region. This needs a policy implication while the projects remain under construction.