Saturday, August 25, 2012

Hydro Politics


Three Gorges Dam
Hydropower In Nepal
Hydropower In Nepal: Videos
Hydropower In Nepal: Images

You ain’t seen nothing yet
despite us being in the middle of the monsoon, NEA has just raised power rationing to seven hours daily. ... this winter there will be electricity for only four hours a day..... nothing is going to prepare us as individuals, families and as a country to the looming dark winter ahead .... Politicians were distracted by fighting, by infighting, by greed and corruption, but by and large, they were just breathtakingly incompetent. .... only 8MW of power was added to the grid in the last fiscal year, while the increase in demand was 80MW. This fiscal year is .. demand has grown by another 90MW, but there has been zero augmentation in supply. .... It is a great leap backward to the dark ages. .... In five years, demand is set to rise to 1500MW which means we will need an installed capacity of 4500MW to cover for the winter deficit. The projects expected to be completed in the next few years, including Upper Tamakosi, Upper Trisuli 3A and 3B, and Chamelia, will only add 586MW to the grid. ...... Foreign investors are being harassed either by the government, by local extortionists, or by the hydro mafia. Projects that were on the verge of starting construction have had their licenses revoked, local opposition has stalled three big projects with Indian investment, like Arun III, Budi Gandaki and Upper Karnali. The Brazilian investor, Engevix, is on the verge of pulling out of the 400MW Lower Arun. ..... Nepal needs to be more investment-friendly, tariffs need to be revised to make it worthwhile and the bureaucratic hurdles need to be smoothened. .... the real reason: incompetence, corruption, mismanagement and political interference. ..... Among the recommendations: •Political consensus on future strategy •Generate enough power to meet domestic demand for value-added industry and only then export • Immediately commission a reservoir project in each development zone • Unbundle transmission and distribution, address inefficiencies, corruption, pilferage in the NEA .... acting now so there will be no power cuts by 2018.
Nepal to produce hydroelectricity under sub-regional framework
Nepal will come forward to jointly produce and share hydroelectricity with its neighbours including Bangladesh
Nepal seeks more deals in hydropower sector
Nepal has extended a warm welcome to more Chinese hydropower companies to invest in projects worth $400 billion, following the approval of the $1.8 billion contract to China Three Gorges Corp for West Seti Hydropower. ..... “In terms of capital, nobody can compete with China,” said constituent assembly member and entrepreneur Binod Chaudhary here on the sidelines of the Boao Forum for Asia in Hainan province yesterday. “The biggest opportunity for Chinese companies in Nepal is to build projects in the same manner as the West Seti project.” ..... The government has just approved China Three Gorges Corp to undertake the $1.8 billion West Seti River hydropower project. The 750-megawatt (MW) plant has opened a ‘complete new chapter’ for Chinese investment in its neighbouring country ..... The Export-Import Bank of China will provide loans of $1.8 billion for a period of 10 years for the project, in which Three Gorges Corp will hold 75 per cent equity and Nepal Electricity Authority the remainder. ..... The construction of the hydroelectric dam is expected to start in 2015 and could be in operation as soon as 2020 .... some of the electricity generated by the West Seti plant could be supplied to China, as Nepal was unlikely to absorb all the power ..... Rivals of Three Gorges Corp, including Sinohydro Corp, are also building hydropower plants in Nepal, but private companies from Europe and India are the major investors in the sector. ..... Chaudhary allayed concerns that local residents could oppose the West Seti project because of environmental damage. Local people showed a very positive attitude, believing it would improve the area’s infrastructure and living standards, he said.
Key Elements of Improving Nepalese Hydropower Sector
Nepal is experiencing a huge energy (electricity) deficit. .... To solve these problems in the sector of hydro electricity and ensure adequate electricity supply in the future, national, international and private investment is needed, regardless of its form – be it unilateral, bilateral or multilateral investment. ..... By endorsing foreign investment into the sector of hydro electricity generation, Nepal would not only tackle its prime problem of water supply in the country (because of unsatisfactory distribution); it would also enable Nepal exporting water and energy to its neighbouring countries and thus acquiring resources so needed to alleviate its poverty. Exporting hydro energy could become one of the most important “Cash Drivers” for Nepal
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CK Raut

अमेरिका आर्थिक मन्दीले आक्रान्त हुँदै थियो। औद्योगिक कम्पनीहरू क्रमशः बन्द हुँदै थिए। घाटामा गैरहेका कतिपय कम्पनीबाट मानिस निकालिने क्रम बढ्दो थियो। बेरोजगारीको समस्याले नराम्रोसँग गाँज्दै लगेपछि धेरै जना हतास र निराश हुन थाले, तर ठीक त्यही बेला एक जना नेपाली युवालाई अमेरिकाको नामुद रेडन बीबीएन टेक्नोलोजीले काम गर्न बोलायो।

रेडन बीबीएन टेक्नोलोजी त्यही कम्पनी हो जसले अमेरिकी सेनाका लागि सुरक्षामा प्रयोग हुने प्रविधिजन्य उपकरण आविष्कार गर्छ। इमेल, इन्टरनेटको आविष्कार हुनुपूर्व डार्पा नेट (इन्टरनेटको पूर्वस्वरूप) यही कम्पनीले आविष्कार गरेको थियो। त्यस्तो कम्पनीबाट काम गर्न बोलाउँदा यी युवामा खुसी नछाउने कुरै भएन। 'मलाई त सुरुमा स्वर्गै पुगेजस्तो लाग्यो, अनुहारमा खुसीको रंग छर्दै सिकें,' राउतले अनुभव साटे- ' अमेरिका पुगेर अरूले झैं सुखी जीवन जिउने मेरो पनि इच्छा थियो।' बेलायतको क्याम्ब्रिज विश्वविद्यालयबाट इन्फरमेसन इन्जिनियरिङमा विद्यावारिधि गरेका राउतमा बीबीएनमा काम गर्ने पहिलेदेखिकै 'ठूलो सपना' थियो, तर उक्त कम्पनीमा पाइला टेक्न पाउनु आफ्नो है सियतबाहिरको कुराजस्तो लाग्थ्यो। तैपनि मनको कुनामा सजाएको त्यो रहर पूरा गर्न निरन्तर प्रयास गर्न उनले छाडेनन्। नभन्दै उनको त्यो 'ठूलो सपना' ले कालान्तरमा मूर्त रूप लियो।

अमेरिकाको म्यासाचुसेट्सस्थित बीबीएन कम्पनीमा राउत ट्रान्स टक उपकरण आविष्कारमा संलग्न थिए, जुन उपकरणले स्पिच ट्रान्सलेसनको काम गथ्र्यो। कुनै मानिसले बोलेको जुनसुकै भाषालाई यसले अंग्रेजीमा अनुवाद गरिदिन्छ। अमेरिकी सेनाले प्रयोग गर्ने यो नौलो प्रविधि इराक, अफगानिस्तान र चीनजस्ता मुलुकमा बढी प्रयोग हुन्छ। अमेरिका पुगेपछि राउतको मनमा थुप्र्र्रै सपना थिए। जस्तो राम्रो घर किन्ने, गाडी चढ्ने, सुखसयलपूर्वक जीवन जिउने। उनका सबै रहर पूरा भए। अत्याधुनिक ग्याजेटहरूसँग खेल्दै, बिदाका दिनहरूमा समुद्री किनारमा टहलिँदै उनको दुई वर्ष बित्यो।

अमेरिकाका चिल्ला सडकमा ४५ लाख पर्ने 'माज्दा-६' गाडीमा हुइँकिँदा राउतको मन भने नेपालका बस्तीहरूमा डुलिरहन्थ्यो। उनले छिचोलेका हिलाम्य बाटा, पराले झुपडी र फुसका घरहरू आँखाभरि एकपछि अर्को गर्दै आउँदै-जाँदै गर्थे। आफू जन्मी, हुर्किएको सप्तरीको महादेवाले बे लाबेला ध्यान तान्थ्यो। भोका, नांगा, गरिबीको रेखामुनि बाँच्न विवश सयौं अनुहार झल्झली सम्झन पुग्थे उनी। ती सबै कुरा सम्झिँदा राउतलाई ग्लानि महसुस हुन्थ्यो। जीवनको सदुपयोग नभएजस्तो लाग्न थाल्यो। अन्ततः यिनै कुराले उनलाई नेपाल फर्काएरै छाड्यो। अमे रिकाको लोभलाग्दो जागिर छाडेर जन्मभूमिका लागि योगदान गर्न छातीभित्र हुट्हुटी र छट्पटी पलायो।

'ठीक गरें जस्तो लागिरहेको छ।' गए साता नयाँ बानेश्वरस्थित एक क्याफेमा साप्ताहिकसँग राउतले आफ्ना अनुभव बाँड्दै भने, 'जुन समाजले मलाई बनायो त्यो समाजका लागि केही त गर्दैछु।' यतिबेला उनले इन्जोत अभियानलाई तीव्र बनाउँदैछन्। यो अभियानले विकट गाउँका विद्यार्थी एवं समुदायका मानिसहरूलाई कम्प्युटर र इन्टरनेटसम्बन्धी ज्ञान दिने काममा जोड दिँदै आएको छ। यसका सुरुवातकर्ता राउत नै हुन्, जसलाई उनी अमेरिका छँदै आर्थिक सहयोग गरिरहेका थिए। उनका कम्प्युटर इन्जिननियर साथीहरू महेश इशर, दीपककुमार साह, महेश थापा र भूपेन्द्र झाको सहयोगमा अघि बढिरहेको यो अभियानले सप्तरी, सुनसरी तथा सिन्धुपाल्चोकका स्कुल र समुदायमा कम्प्युटर र इन्टरनेटसम्बन्धी ज्ञान, सीप बाँडिसकेको छ। 'विद्यार्थीहरूको पढाइमा सहयोग पुग्नेछ। कृषकहरूले उन्नत तरिकाबाट खेतीपाती र पशुपालन गर्न सक्नेछन्।' आफ्नो कामका सम्बन्धमा राउतले प्रस्ट्याए। कफीको चुस्कीमा उनले बिदेसिएका साथीहरू पनि मातृभूमि फर्केर केही यो गदान दिऊन् भन्ने इच्छा व्यक्त गरे।

सीके स्वयं गरिब परिवारबाट संघर्ष गर्दै सफलताको सिंढी चढेका हुन्। सप्तरीको महादेवामा सीकेको परिवारसँग कुनै दिन स्कुल फिस तिर्ने क्षमता थिएन। वर्षको २ सय रुपैयाँ तिर्न नसक्दा परीक्षाको दिन २ घण्टा बाहिर राखिन्थ्यो उनलाई, तर पनि उनी सधैं पहिलो भए। पुल्चोक इन्जिनियरिङ क्याम्पसमा ठैबतिरका एक मजदुरले उनको शुल्क तिरिदिएका थिए। 'सीके तिमी पढ। हामी चन्दा मागेर भए पनि पढाउँछौं।' गाउँलेहरूले दिएको आश्वासन उनले अझै बिर्सिएका छैनन्। त्यो चरम अभावका बीच सीकेले पुल्चोकबाट बीईमा गोल्ड मेडल हात पारे। यदि हारेर भागेको भए यतिबेला दिल्ली र पञ्जाबमा मजदुरी गरिरहेको हुन्थें कि जस्तो लाग्छ। निरन्तरको प्रयासपछि उनले जापानको टोकियो विश्वविद्यालयमा छात्रवृत्ति पाए। इन्फरमेसन एन्ड टेक्नोलोजीमा मास्टर्स डिग्री पूरा गरे। जापान बसाइले उनलाई कडा मेहनत र नम्र बन्न सिकायो। 'जापानीहरू कामप्रति इमानदार हुन्छन्।' टोकियो विश्वविद्यालयमा अनुसन्धानकर्ताका रूपमा काम गर्दागर्दै उनले बेलायतको क्याम्बि्रज विश्वविद्यालयमा प्रवेश पाए। त्यसपछि अमेरिकाको यात्रा तय भयो।

अमेरिकाबाट र्फकंदा राउतले सम्पत्तिका नाममा ५ कार्टुन किताब ल्याए अनि मातृभूमिका लागि प्रशस्त योजना, सपना र काम गर्ने अठोट। अहिले उनी भोकै, नांगै, खाली खुट्टा हिंडेको आफ्नो बस्तीमा परिवर्तन खोज्दैछन्। विदेश बस्दा उनले व्यावसायिकता, समयअनुसार चल्न, कामप्रतिको सम्मान, पेसाप्रतिको इमानदारी राम्रैसँग बुझेका छन्। 'अब थोरै भए पनि गाउँलेहरूको मुहारमा खुसी छर्न चाहन्छु।' -अनुहार उजिल्याउँदै राउतले भने।

Source: Kantipur



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स्वतन्त्र मधेश ही क्यों?

मानव सभ्यता के प्रारम्भ से ही मधेश (मध्यदेश) राष्ट्र का अस्तित्व रहा है। वेद, पुराण और प्राचीन ग्रन्थों में मध्यदेश की चर्चा और विवरण बराबर मिलती है। वैवश्वत मनु के बेटा इक्ष्वाकु मध्यदेश के प्रथम राजा माने जाते हैं। उसके ३४ पिढी बाद भगवान राम और माता सीता ने मध्यदेश को धन्य किया था। भगवान बुद्ध भी ई. पु. ५६३ में मधेश (मज्झिमदेश) में ही जन्म लेकर इस भूमि को धन्य किया। उनके समय में मधेश विशाल था, और मधेश की सीमाओं का विवरण विनय पिटक जैसे ग्रन्थों मे विस्तार से दिया गया है। सम्राट अशोक से लेकर राजा सलहेश तक, अनेकौं गौरवशाली राजा-महाराजों ने इस भूमि पर राज्य किया। बारहवीं शताब्दी के आसपास मूस्लिम शासक यहाँ पर आए, और उसके बाद ब्रिटिश लोग। गोर्खाली ने अठारबीं शताब्दी में मधेश पर हमला किया, उस समय मधेश में सेन राजाओं का राज्य था। गोर्खालीयों ने अनेक छल-कपट किए, क्रूर-बर्बरता दिखाए, फिर भी मधेश पर कब्जा नहीं जमा सके। लेकिन ब्रिटिश ने कोशी से राप्ती बीच की मधेश की भूमि सन् १८१६ में उपभोग करने के लिए नेपाल सरकार को दे दिया, और उसी तरह सन् १८६० मे राप्ती से महाकाली बीच की मधेश की भूमि ब्रिटिश ने उपहार स्वरूप नेपाल सरकार को दे दिया। इस तरह से मधेश नेपाल के उपनिवेश बन गए। और शुरू से ही नेपाल सरकार मधेशीयों की जमीन हडपने और मधेशीयों को अपनी ही भूमि से भगाने में लगे रहे, मधेशीयों के साथ युद्धबन्दी सरह व्यवहार करते हुए गुलाम बनाने में लगे रहे।

मधेशीयों के उपर लादे गए उपनिवेश और गुलामी और उनके साथ किए जा रहे भेदभाव और रंगभेद अब छिपी नहीं हैं। इन सबसे मुक्ति के लिए मधेशीयों ने वर्षों से संघर्ष किया है, यहाँ तक कि महान मधेश आन्दोलन भी किया, ५४ से अधिक शहीद हुए, हजारों-हजार घायल हुए, लाखों ने अपना योगदान दिया। परन्तु इतने संघर्ष के बाद भी, इतने मधेशीयों के बलिदान और खून के बाद भी क्या परिवर्तन आए हैं? सुधरने के बदले, नेपाल के शासक तो उल्टा रूख पकडे हुए हैं। सम्झौते के मुताबिक हमें अधिकार देने के बदले, ये लोग हमारे अधिकार छिनने में लग गए। रंगभेद और भेदभाव खत्म करने के बदले, हमें और भी शिकार बनाते गए। मधेशीयों को नागरिकता देने के बजाए नागरिकता छिनने में लग गए; एक पर एक नागरिकता विधेयक लाकर ये लोग मधेशीयों को अनागरिक बनाने में लग गए। जो मधेशी कई दशकों से अपना भोट देते रहे हैं, उसका भी मतदान अधिकार इन्होंने छीन लिया, उनको भोटर लिस्ट से हटा दिया। विशेष सुरक्षा प्रणाली के नाम पर मधेश के निर्दोष लोगों को जेल में बन्द कर दिया, कितनों को दिनदहाडे बेबजह गोली मार दी गई। हमें दबाने के लिए सशस्त्र प्रहरी और सैनिक जगह-जगह पर लगा दिए गए हैं। मानव अधिकार संगठन बन्द करा दिए गए हैं। भाषा और भेषभूषा के मामले पर भी वही पुराने षड्यन्त्र करते रहे। मधेशी उपराष्ट्रपति को नेपाली बोलने और दौरा-सुरुवाल पहनने पर मजबूर करेके ही छोडा। हजारौं वर्ष से चलते आए सीमा आर-पार के हमारे सम्बन्धों को तोडने के लिए एक पर एक नियमकानून बनाते रहे, आज तो आप एक तौलिया लेकर भी आर-पार नहीं हो सकते। सेना में मधेशी की भर्ती और समावेशी की बात को धराशायी कर दिया गया। सम्झौता होने के बाबजूद हमारे नेता और पार्टीयाँ मधेशीयों को सेना में समानुपातिक प्रवेश तो क्या, ३००० मधेशीयों को भी प्रवेश नहीं करा सके, वश मजाक बनकर रह गया। हर क्षेत्र में मधेशी का कोटा पहाडी ले जा रहा है। नेपाल की मिडिया मधेश-विरोधी अभियान में संगठित हो गए और मधेश को बदनाम करते रहे, मधेशी की आवाज को दबाते रहे हैं। सम्झौता कर चुके ‘स्वायत्त मधेश प्रदेश’ देने के बजाए मधेश को खण्ड-खण्ड बनाने के लिए एक पर एक षड्यन्त्र करते रहे, हमें तोडेने का अनेक षड्यन्त्र करते रहे। पहाडी लोग कभी चुरे-भाँवर तो कभी अखण्ड सुदुरपश्चिम के नाम पर हमारी जमीन पर कब्जा जमाए रखना चाहते हैं, अपनी विरासत बनाए रखना चाहते हैं। हमें कभी थारू, कभी मूस्लिम, तो कभी जनजाति के नाम पर शासक लोग फुट डालना चाहते हैं, पर हम पुछते हैं, ऋतिक रोशन या नेपालगंज जैसे कांडो में थारू या जनजाति कहने पर पहाडीयों ने मारना छोड दिया था? मूस्लिम कहने पर पहाडियों ने आक्रमण नहीं किया था? घर में आग नहीं लगाई थी? माँ-बहन की इज्जत नहीं लुटी थी? काठमाण्डू में मस्जिद नहीं जलाई थी? सच तो यह है कि पहाडियों के अत्याचार से थारू हो या मूस्लिम या जनजाति, सभी मधेशी तडप रहे हैं। पूर्व में सुनसरी के शहीद परिवार हो, या सप्तरी-सिरहा-धनुषा के दलित, या पश्चिम में कंचनपुर जिल्ला के भूमिहीन हो या दांग के थारू कमैया या वीरगंज-नेपालगंज के हमारे मूस्लिम भाइ-बहन, सब की दुर्दशा है।

नेपाल को इतना पैसा मिलता है अनुदान में, इतने प्रोजेक्ट आते हैं, इतने का बज़ट बनता है, लेकिन सब पहाड चला जाता है। मधेशीयों को क्या मिलता है? पहाड में एक पर एक स्वर्ण-नगरी स्थापित किया जाता है, एक पर एक रोड, एयरपोर्ट, सरकारी कार्यालय, अस्पताल, स्कूल-कलेज, फैक्ट्री बनाए जाते हैं, इन्टरनेट की अत्याधुनिक सुविधाएँ है, ल्यापटप बाँटा जाता है, मधेश में क्या होता है? मधेश मे कुछ खुलने नहीं देता है, जो भी फैक्ट्री, सरकारी अफिस, कलेज या अस्पताल था, जो भी प्रोजेक्ट चल रहे थे, उसे बन्द करा दिया गया, उसे पहाड के तरफ लेकर चले गए। किसान को खाद और बीज तक नहीं मिलता, सरकार सिंचाइ की कोई व्यवस्था नहीं करती, किसान की कोई भी समस्या को सरकार नहीं देखती। मधेश में व्यापारी को अनावश्यक दु:ख दिया जाता है, निरूत्साहित किया जाता है। एक से एक बेहतरीन मधेशी युवा पढकर बेरोजगार बैठे हैं, सरकार उन्हें काम नहीं देती। नेपाल सरकार ने तो मधेशीयों को काम नहीं दिया, लेकिन अपने खून-पसीनों से अरब-मलेशिया, दिल्ली-पंजाब से भी जो हम कमाकर लाते हैं, मेहनत-मजदूरी करके यहीं पर भी जो कमाते हैं, उसका भी लगभग दो-तिहाई सरकार हमसे छीन लेती है। कैसे? कर के नाम पर। जिस मोटरसाइकल का दाम पचास हजार है, उसे हमें नेपाल सरकार डेढ़ लाख में खरीदने पर मजबूर करती है, यानि सरकार हमसे एक लाख छीन लेती है! जिस नानो गाडी का दाम दो लाख नेपाली रूपैयाँ है, उसे हमें नौ लाख में खरीदने पर मजबूर करती है, यानि हमारे मेहनत-मजदूरी का सात लाख नेपाल सरकार छीन लेती है! इसी तरह, पैसा तो हम कुछ न कुछ खरीदने में ही खर्च करते हैं, और सरकार मेहनत-मजदूरी से कमाए हुए हमारे पैसौं के अधिकांश हिस्सा हमसे छीन लेती है। और बदले में हमें क्या मिलता है? गोली और गुलामी। हमारे पैसौं से नेपाली शासक बन्दुक खरीदते हैं, गोली खरीदते हैं, और शसस्त्र प्रहरी और सैनिक हमारे उपर छोड देते हैं। आज जगह-जगह पर मधेशीयों को दबाने के लिए हजारों-हजार सशस्त्र प्रहरी और सैनिक तैनाथ किए गए हैं, वे पग-पग पर हमें सता रहे हैं, नेपाली उपनिवेश लाद रहे हैं, हमारी माँ-बहन की इज्जत लुट रहें है, हम पर एक पर एक अत्याचार किए जा रहे हैं।

मधेशीयों ने अपना अधिक से अधिक मत देकर मधेशी नेताओं को संसद भेजा, जितने सीट वे लोग सोच भी नहीं सकते थे उससे ज्यादा सीट पर नेताओं को पहुँचाया। लेकिन राष्ट्रपति, उपराष्ट्रपति, उपप्रधानमन्त्री, रक्षामन्त्री, गृहमन्त्री लगायत के मन्त्री परिषद् में मधेशी मन्त्रियों का बहुमत रहते हुए भी वे लोग मधेशी के लिए कुछ भी नहीं कर सके, बल्कि मधेशीयों का अधिकार खोते रहे हैं। यह प्रमाण है कि नेपाल के अन्दर रहते हुए हम कुछ भी हासिल नहीं कर सकते। मधेशी अफिसर, नेता, मन्त्री, उपप्रधानमन्त्री या राष्ट्रपति को तो एक पहाडी प्यून या ड्राइभर भी नहीं ‘टेरता’ है, तो ये क्या परिवर्तन लाएँगे? सेना को ‘धोती’ रक्षा-मन्त्री स्वीकार्य नहीं, तो सेना क्या मधेशी मन्त्री को ‘टेरेंगे’?

नेपाल के अन्दर रहते हुए कोई राजनैतिक परिवर्तन मधेशीयों के जीवन मे कुछ बदलाव ला न सका, और न ही ला सकेगा। पुराने तरीके, पुरानी माँगे बर्षो-वर्ष अब पचकर-सडकर ‘मल’ बनकर निकल चुकी है, और हम देख चुके हैं कि उससे मधेशीयों को कभी कुछ पोषण नहीं मिला। लेकिन हमारे नेतालोग संसद और सरकार मे जाने के लालच से वही पचकर-सडकर निकले हुए ‘मल’ फिर से मधेशीयों को खिलाने की कोशिस कर रहे हैं। लेकिन मधेशी जनता वही ‘मल’ खाएगी? हरगिज नहीं। मधेशी जनता तो अब नई राह पर, नए लक्ष्य की ओर चलेगी; अपनी और मधेश की स्वतन्त्रता के लिए आगे बढेगी।

क्या कोई और व्यवस्था मधेश की अखण्डता की ग्यारेन्टी करती है? नेपाली शासक तो हमें तोडने में लगे हैं, हमें लडाने में लगे हैं। क्या कोई और व्यवस्था मधेशीयों की जमीन नहीं छिनने की और पहाडीयों को मधेश में बसाने का षड्यन्त्र नहीं होने देने की ग्यारेन्टी करती है? अगर नहीं तो वह दिन दूर नहीं जब और जिल्ला भी झापा या चितवन की तरह पूरी तरह से पहाडीयों से भर जाएगा, और मधेशी केवल उनके दास बन कर रह जाएँगे। क्या कोई और व्यवस्था मधेश में सिडियो, एसपी लगायत के सभी प्रशासक मधेशी होने की ग्यारेन्टी करती है? नहीं तो पहाडी शासक हम पर कर्फ्यू लगाकर आक्रमण करता रहेगा, शोषण करता रहेगा। क्या कोई और व्यवस्था ऋतिक रोशन कांड र नेपालगंज घटना जैसे षड्यन्त्र कराके मधेशीयों पे आक्रमण और लुटपाट नहीं होने की ग्यारेन्टी करती है? पहाडी द्वारा मधेशीयों के घर और गाँव नहीं जलाने की ग्यारेन्टी करती है? मधेश के कामकाज और नौकरियाँ मधेशीयों को ही मिलने की ग्यारेन्टी करती है? क्या मधेश की आय के सम्पूर्ण भाग और वैदेशिक अनुदान और प्रोजेक्ट के आधे हिस्से मधेश को मिलने की ग्यारेन्टी करती है? क्या देश भितर और बाहर रहे मधेशीयों की पहचान और आत्मसम्मान की समस्या को हल करती है? क्या हमारी राष्ट्रियता पर शक नहीं किया जाएगा, हमसे नागरिकता नहीं माँगा जाएगा, हमसे ‘नेपाली हो र? नेपाली जस्तो देखिनुहुन्न’ नहीं कहा जाएगा? क्या कोई और व्यवस्था मधेश से सम्पूर्ण पहाडी सेना वापस करने की ग्यारेन्टी करती है? सम्पूर्ण पहाडी प्रहरी और सशस्त्र प्रहरी फिर्ता लेने की ग्यारेन्टी करती है? नहीं तो नेपाली शासकलोग जब चाहे हम पर गोली चलाकर राज करता रहेगा, जो भी नियम-कानून और संविधान बनाकर हम पर लादता रहेगा, केन्द्रिय सरकार आपत्‌कालीन स्थिति घोषणा करके मिनट भर में हमारे सारे अधिकार छीन सकती है। और हमें, हमारी माँ-बहन को, इन पहाडी सैनिक और पुलिस के खौफ में सदा की तरह जीना पडेगा। यानि कि, परम्परागत तरीकों से इनमें से हमें कुछ भी नहीं मिल सकता। ये सब चीज स्वतन्त्र मधेश में ही प्राप्त हो सकती है, मधेश आजाद होने से ही मिल सकती है।

स्वतन्त्र मधेश के बनने से हमारा एक देश होगा, हमारी पहचान होगी जो मधेशी की संस्कृति, भाषा, रहन-सहन को समेटेगी, और कोई भी हमारी पहचान के उपर सवाल नहीं करेगा। कभी नागरिकता-पासपोर्ट लेने मे दिक्कत नहीं होगी, किसी को भी नागरिकता के अधिकार से वंचित नहीं होना पडेगा। स्वतन्त्र मधेश में लाखों मधेशी युवा मधेशी सेना मे प्रवेश करेगा, लाखों-लाख पुलिस में प्रवेश करेगी, लाखों-लाख प्रशासक बनेगी, और लाखों-लाख मधेशीयों को नौकरी मिलेगी, बेरोजगारी हटेगी। हम मधेश का विकास खुद कर सकेंगे । बोर्डर के सम्बन्ध को सहज करते हुए किसानों को खाद, बीज, तेल-डिजल, थ्रेसर, पम्पिनसेट आदि सहज रूप से लाने दिया जाएगा, उनके लिए बाजार खुला रहेगा। मेशिन, मोटरसाइकल, ट्रयाक्टर जैसी चीजों पर से कर हटा दिया जाएगा, जिससे वे चीज बोर्डर के पार के दामों में ही मिल जाएगी। हम क्यों नेपाल सरकार को लाखों-लाख कर बेवजह देते रहें? जो मोटरसाइकिल आज डेढ लाख में मिलती है, वह चालीस-पचास हजार में मिलने लगेगी, जो नानो गाड़ी आज नेपाल में नौ लाख मे मिलती है, वह डेढ-दो लाख मे मिलने लगेगी। सीमा-क्षेत्र से नेपाली शासक के सशस्त्र पुलिस और सैनिक का अत्याचार हटा दिया जाएगा, और बोर्डर क्षेत्र में आवत-जावत और व्यापारों को हम मधेशी अनुकुल सहज बनाएँगे। किसान लोगों के लिए, खेती के लिए सिंचाइ, सुलभ ऋण सहयोग, बोरिङ्ग और उन्नत बीज की व्यवस्था की जाएगी। गरीबों को राशन कार्ड मिलेगा; खाना, कपडा और बास की उचित व्यवस्था की जाएगी। मधेश में एक पर एक रोजगार और प्रोजेक्ट आएँगे, फैक्टरी खुलेगी, सड़क बनेगी, पुल, एयरपोर्ट, अस्पताल, स्कूल-कलेज, लाइब्रेरी बनेंगे। स्वदेश में ही सभी को रोजगार प्राप्त होंगे, लेकिन वैदेशिक रोजगार पर जाने चाहने वालों को भी सुलभ ऋण (जो वापस न कर सकने वालों के लिए मिनाहा कर दिया जाएगा) और विदेश में सुरक्षा की व्यवस्था किया जाएगा। हमें हर गुलामी से मुक्ति मिलेगी, आत्मसम्मान होगा । ईसलिए यह जरूरी है कि हम स्वतन्त्र मधेश के लिए संघर्ष करें।

हमारे बाप-दादा नहीं लडे, और हम गुलाम हुए। आज हम नहीं लडेंगे, हमारे बच्चे गुलाम होंगे। क्या हम अपने बच्चों को गुलामी देना चाहेंगे, ऋतिक रोशन और नेपालगंज जैसे कांडो में मरने के लिए छोडना चाहेंगे, भेदभाव और रंगभेद का शिकार होने के लिए छोडना चाहेंगे? आज हम नहीं लडे, आज हम चुप बैठे रहे, तो शासकवर्ग हमारे अस्तित्व को ही मिटा डालेंगे। हमारे अधिकार ही नहीं छिनेंगे, हमारे नामोनिशान को मिटा देंगे।

और ऐसी सरकार जो अपना सैनिक और सशस्त्र पुलिस लगाकर हमें कुचल देना चाहती हो, उसके आगे बारबार भिखारी की तरह हात फैलाने का औचित्य क्या है? मधेश तो केवल लगभग दो सौ वर्ष पहले नेपाल मे आए थे, तो नेपाल में दास बनकर सब दिन रहने की जरूरत क्या है? मधेशीयों को तो सन् १९५८ तक काठमाण्डू जाने के लिए भी भिसा लेना पडता था, और मधेश का नेपाल से पृथक अस्तित्व था। नेपाल सरकार ने तो झूठ बोलकर संयुक्त राष्ट्रसंघ का सदस्यता ले लिया, और मधेश को खा गया। हमें मधेश की वह स्वतन्त्रता वापस करनी है, न कि छोटी-छोटी चीज भीख में माँगनी है। हम कितनी बार एक ही चीज के लिए लडते रहें? कितनी बार हम एक ही चीज के लिए मरते रहें? कितनी बार वही सम्झौते करते रहें, जो केवल कागज पर ही सीमित रह जाता है? इस लिए बारबार नेपाली शासकों की गोली खाने के बजाय, एक ही बार अन्तिम संघर्ष करना है जो मधेश और मधेशीयों को स्वतन्त्र कर दे, हमें गुलामी से आजाद कर दे, नेपाली शासक के सभी षडयन्त्रों को सदा के लिए खत्म कर दे। एक निर्णायक संघर्ष, स्थायी स्वतन्त्रता और अधिकार के लिए। इसलिए, कौन नेता कहाँ वार्ता करता है, यानि हमें और हमारे खून का सौदा करता है, इसकी परबाह नहीं करते हुए, हमें तब तक संघर्ष करना है जब तक हम स्वतन्त्र न हो जाएँ । किसीके कहने पर हम ना रूकें, वश खुद से पुछें कि ‘क्या हम आजाद हो गए, मधेश आजाद हो गया?’ और जब तक ‘हाँ’ मे जवाफ नहीं मिल जाता तब तक हमें रुकना नहीं है। यह स्वतन्त्रता संग्राम मन्त्री, प्रधानमन्त्री या सांसद् बनने के लिए नहीं है, हम उस पुरानी दिशा की ओर जाना ही नहीं चाहते हैं क्योंकि उस तरफ जाने वाला हर कोई गद्दार है, मन्त्री और सांसद् बनने के लालची है। हम तो आजादी चाहते हैं, जो मधेश आजाद होने पर सबको प्राप्त होगी।



Speech by Dr. CK Raut at Khulamanch, Kathmandu, Nepal
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Friday, August 24, 2012

Three Gorges Dam

Hydropower In Nepal


 
Three Gorges Dam
The Three Gorges Dam is the world's largest power station in terms of installed capacity (22,500 MW) .... As well as producing electricity, the dam is intended to increase the Yangtze River's shipping capacity and reduce the potential for floods downstream by providing flood storage space. The Chinese government regards the project as a historic engineering, social and economic success, with the design of state-of-the-art large turbines, and a move toward limiting greenhouse gas emissions. However, the dam flooded archaeological and cultural sites and displaced some 1.3 million people, and is causing significant ecological changes, including an increased risk of landslides. The dam has been a controversial topic both domestically and abroad. ...... A large dam across the Yangtze River was originally envisioned by Sun Yat-sen in The International Development of China, in 1919. He stated that a dam capable of generating 30 million horsepower (22 GW) was possible downstream of the Three Gorges. ........ On completion, the reservoir flooded a total area of 632 square kilometres (244 sq mi) of land ..... Full cost recovery is expected to occur ten years after the dam starts full operation ...... The dam was expected to provide 10% of China's power. However, electricity demand has increased more quickly than planned. Even fully operational, on average, it supports only about 1.7% of electricity demand in China in the year of 2011 ...... At full power, Three Gorges reduces coal consumption by 31 million tonnes per year, avoiding 100 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions, millions of tonnes of dust, one million tonnes of sulfur dioxide, 370,000 tonnes of nitric oxide, 10,000 tonnes of carbon monoxide, and a significant amount of mercury. Hydropower saves the energy needed to mine, wash, and transport the coal from northern China. ....... From 2004 to 2007 a total of 198 million tonnes of goods passed through the ship locks. ..... sedimentation projections are not agreed upon, and the other is that the dam sits on a seismic fault. ..... China's huge reforestation effort. This accelerated after severe flooding in 1998 convinced the government that it must restore tree cover, especially in the Yangtze's basin upstream of the Three Gorges Dam ..... home to 6,388 species of plants, which belong to 238 families and 1508 genera. Of these plant species, 57 percent are endangered. These rare species are also used as ingredients in traditional Chinese medicines ....... the Yangtze River basin is home to 361 different fish species and accounts for twenty-seven percent of all endangered freshwater fish species in China ..... The reservoir's flood storage capacity is 22 cubic kilometres ... This capacity will reduce the frequency of major downstream flooding from once every ten years to once every 100 years. The dam is expected to minimize the effect of even a "super" flood ....... Since the filling of the reservoir in 2003, the Three Gorges Dam has supplied an extra 11 cubic kilometres of fresh water to downstream cities and farms during the dry season .... The installation of ship locks is intended to increase river shipping from ten million to 100 million tonnes annually, as a result transportation costs will be cut between 30 and 37%. Shipping will become safer, since the gorges are notoriously dangerous to navigate. Ships with much deeper draft will be able to navigate 2,400 kilometres (1,500 mi) upstream from Shanghai all the way to Chongqing. It is expected that shipping to Chongqing will increase fivefold
China's Three Gorges Dam: An Environmental Catastrophe?
For over three decades the Chinese government dismissed warnings from scientists and environmentalists that its Three Gorges Dam—the world's largest—had the potential of becoming one of China's biggest environmental nightmares. But last fall, denial suddenly gave way to reluctant acceptance that the naysayers were right. ..... When complete, the dam will generate 18,000 megawatts of power—eight times that of the U.S.'s Hoover Dam on the Colorado River. .... "There's been a lot less rain, a lot more drought, and the potential for increased disease" ..... "When it comes to environmental change, the implementation of the Three Gorges dam and reservoir is the great granddaddy of all changes." ..... Inhabited for several millennia, the Three Gorges region is now a major part of western China's development boom. To date, the government has ordered some 1.2 million people in two cities and 116 towns clustered on the banks of the Yangtze to be evacuated to other areas before construction, promising them plots of land and small stipends—in some cases as little as 50 yuan, or $7 a month—as compensation. ....... The first of the Yangtze's famed gorges—a collection of steep bluffs at a bend in the river—was determined to be the perfect site. ...... a narrow lake 410 miles (660 kilometers) long—60 miles (97 kilometers) longer than Lake Superior ..... the landslides are directly linked to filling the reservoir. Water first seeps into the loose soil at the base of the area's rocky cliffs, destabilizing the land and making it prone to slides. ..... One of the greatest fears is that the dam may trigger severe earthquakes, because the reservoir sits on two major faults: the Jiuwanxi and the Zigui–Badong. ...... officials failed to foresee the full magnitude of the dam's effects ..... half of China's animal and plant species, including the beloved giant panda and the Chinese sturgeon, are found no where else in the world. The Three Gorges area alone accounts for 20 percent of Chinese seed plants—more than 6,000 species. ..... Downstream, near where the river empties into the East China Sea, the land around the Yangtze contains some of the densest clusters of human habitation in the world, and overfishing there has already endangered 25 of the river's 177 unique fish species. ..... When officials unveiled plans for the dam, they touted its ability to prevent floods downstream. Now, the dam seems to be causing the opposite problem, spurring drought in central and eastern China. ..... the dam had reduced the flow volume of the river by 50 percent. To make matters worse, China is now plowing ahead with a controversial $62-billion scheme to transfer water from the Yangtze to northern China, which is even more parched, through a network of tunnels and canals to be completed by 2050. ..... "Once you dramatically change the climate and change water patterns, as is now seen in the Three Gorges region," he says, "you change a lot of environmental variables. Almost all infectious diseases are up for grabs." ..... President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao are eager to distance themselves from a project they inherited. ..... Government officials fear that continued free discussion of the project's ramifications could lead to civil unrest. ..... China still draws 82 percent of energy from coal, but large dams are crucial to the country's climate change program, which aims to increase its proportion of electricity from renewable resources from the current 7.2 percent to 15 percent by 2020. Over one third of that will come from hydropower—more than from any other source. Twelve new dams are planned for the upper Yangtze alone. ..... [a river] is also important for shipping, alleviating pollution, sustaining species and ecosystems, and maintaining a natural evolutionary balance." .... "The Yangtze doesn't belong to the Three Gorges Project Development Corporation," Fan adds. "It belongs to all of society."
China's Three Gorges Dam
a dam one and a half miles wide and more than 600 feet high that will create a reservoir hundreds of feet deep and nearly 400 miles long ..... the dam's hydropower turbines are expected to create as much electricity as 18 nuclear power plants. .... the largest construction project in China since the Great Wall. Many high-ranking Chinese officials expect the dam to become a potent symbol of their nation's vitality in the new century and the new millennium. ..... authorities hope the dam will take care of several major national problems with a single monumental stroke. .... The Yangzi's notorious floods have been recorded for millennia and have claimed more than 1 million lives in the past 100 years. ..... Officials hope the combination of inexpensive electricity and cheap river transportation will further open the region to international investment -- making Chongqing a major business center. .... Allegations of corruption among officials involved with the project have raised fears of shoddy construction. The Chinese media recently reported several incidents in which corruption and poor construction have led to disasters at major building projects. Notable among the reports was the collapse of a steel bridge in the city of Chongqing in January 1999 that killed 40 people. ..... Li Peng, the former Chinese premier and Soviet-trained engineer who spearheaded the dam's construction. .... The dam will "drown" more than 100 towns once the water starts to rise in 2003. .... Archaeologists and historians have estimated nearly 1,300 important sites will disappear under the reservoir's waters ..... More than 20,000 workers are working around the clock on the dam itself.
Great Wall Across The Yangtze
Swimming Great plans are afoot: A bridge will fly to span the north and south, Turning a deep chasm into a thoroughfare; To hold back Wushan's clouds and rain Till a smooth lake rises in the narrow gorges. The mountain goddess if she is still there Will marvel at a world so changed. - poem by China's former Communist Leader Mao Tse-tung The Three Gorges project has been engineered to store over 5 trillion gallons of water and to withstand an earthquake of 7.0 on the Richter scale. The reservoir will allow 10,000-ton freighters to enter the nation's interior, which currently limits access to boats under 1,500 tons. In addition to increasing commercial shipping access to China's interior, the government says the dam will control devastating floods and provide much-needed electrical power to China's growing cities. .... Like China's Great Wall, it will be one of the few man-made structures visible from space.
Biggest flood peak passes Three Gorges Dam
As the world's largest water hydropower project, the Three Gorges Project consists of a dam, a five-tier ship dock and a total of 32 hydropower turbo-generators.
China Admits Problems With Three Gorges Dam
The Three Gorges Dam, the world’s largest hydroelectric project and a symbol of China’s confidence in risky technological solutions, is troubled by urgent pollution and geologic problems, a high-level government body acknowledged. ..... According to official figures, the venture cost China about $23 billion, but outside experts estimate it may have cost double that amount. The dam has been plagued by reports of floating archipelagoes of garbage, carpets of algae and landslides on the banks along the vast expanse of still water ..... the government has fallen far short of its goals in helping to resettle the 1.4 million people displaced by the rising waters behind the dam. ..... denied that the project played any role in China’s powerful May 2008 quake in Sichuan Province, in which at least 87,000 people died. .... Faced with a historic drought this spring, cities downstream of the dam have been unable to accommodate oceangoing vessels that usually visit their ports, and about 400,000 residents of Hubei Province lost access to drinking water this month. ..... the dam has changed regional water tables, contributing to the shortage. .... some problems were anticipated during the dam’s construction, but that others “arose because of new demands posed by economic and social development.” .... “My sense is that the Chinese government is getting better and better at collecting information about things like this.”
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Hydropower In Nepal


Hydropower In Nepal: Videos
Hydropower In Nepal: Images

Hydropower in Nepal
Nepal has approximately 40,000 MW of economically feasible hydropower potential. However, the present situation is that Nepal has developed only approximately 600 MW of hydropower. ..... only about 40% of Nepal's population has access to electricity. Most of the power plants in Nepal are run-of-river type with energy available in excess of the in-country demand during the monsoon season and deficit during the dry season. ...... in the entire scenario of energy use of the country, the electricity is a tiny fraction, only 1% energy need is fulfilled by electricity. The bulk of the energy need is dominated by fuel wood (68%), agricultural waste (15%), animal dung (8%) and imported fossil fuel (8%). ...... the development of hydropower will help to achieve the millennium development goals with protecting environment, increasing literacy, improving health of children and women with better energy. ...... The electricity demand in Nepal is increasing by about 7-9% per year. ..... The power system is dominated by the hydropower which contributes about 90 % of the system and the balance is met by multi fuel plant. The hydropower development in Nepal began with the development of 500 kW Pharping power plant in 1911. The most recent significant power plant commissioned is the 144-MW Kali Gandaki “A” Hydroelectric Plant. ...... Until 1990, hydropower development was under the domain of government utility, Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) only. However, with the enactment of new Hydropower Development Policy 1992, the sector was opened to the private sector also. There are number of projects already built by the private developers. Private power producers contribute 148 MW of power to the ‘Integrated Nepal Power System'
Hydropower in Nepal
World's 20% of electricity is by Hydropower. In contrary, 96% of electricity in Nepal is by Hydropower ...... Hydropower electricity is environment friendly - no pollution in air or in land, and, is also the most efficient method of all
Himalayan Hydropower
Nepal is one of the poorest countries in the world—a quarter of its population lives on less than US$1 per day, and unemployment rates are over 40 percent. With a population of over 29 million, Nepal is facing an upward trajectory in energy demand, resulting in energy shortage situations where less than half of the nation’s electricity needs are met. In recent years, during the coldest winter months, Nepalis have experienced power cuts for over 16 hours per day. ..... The combination of poverty and political instability has stunted the growth of an otherwise vibrant and culturally rich society, endowed with the breathtaking Himalayas, rich biodiversity, and most importantly, water. ........ current annual hydropower output to be at 634 MW, grossly below potential and insufficient to meet domestic energy demand. ......... Nepal’s steps for future development lie in harnessing the full potential of hydropower ...... there exists a tremendous market potential in India and China. ...... better ameliorate the social and economic costs of such projects by employing local populations in the construction of projects, implementing skills-based technical training, improving local schools, and operating with deference to local authorities and laws. ...... With its proximity to the world’s two most populous nations, Nepal should channel its own liquid gold to support domestic electricity needs and export to energy-hungry markets
Nepal approves hydropower project
The government of Nepal has given the green light for China Three Gorges Corp.'s $1.6 billion hydropower project on the West Seti River..... The West Seti approval came after China Three Gorges, China' largest hydropower development company and operator of China's massive Three Gorges Dam, on March 16 threatened to pull out of the 750 megawatt project if it didn't move forward...... Nepal's state power utility would have a 25 percent share in the project and China Three Gorges the rest..... Construction is to start in 2015, with electricity generation to begin starting in 2019...... Nepal says the estimated $1.6 billion cost for West Seti will come from China Three Gorges as well as from a loan from China's Exim Bank. It says the 3.33 billion units of energy the project is expected to supply is intended for domestic consumption..... The project license for West Seti was previously awarded in 1994 to Australia's Snowy Mountains Engineering Corp. but was scrapped last July. Under the terms of that license, Nepal was to receive 10 percent of the project's 750 megawatts of electricity along with a nominal royalty from SMEC's profit from the project, with the remaining 90 percent of the power exported to India
Nepal turns back on hydropower
The Himalayas provide Nepal with fast flowing rivers, ideal for hydropower ..... To deal with crippling power cuts that last two thirds of a day, the government has declared a national power crisis, and announced a plan to install a series of generators of up to 200 megawatts (MW). .... They will run on diesel ..... there were talks about importing the generation plants from China, which reportedly had many of them spare after hosting last year's Olympics. ..... we will have to get thermal plants to immediately address the load shedding, it's a compulsion ..... Having been hit hard by the power cuts, the private manufacturing sector is also stressing the need for businesses to install their own electricity generators. ..... Most of these will again be equipment run on diesel. .... With more than 6,000 rivers and rivulets gushing down the Himalayan foothills, snaking through the country's rugged topography, there is the potential to generate tens of thousands of megawatts. .... Major large hydroelectric project partnerships with India, agreed years ago, have never moved off the drawing board
Politics and economics of hydropower in Nepal
beginning in October to November and continuing until the monsoon arrives in June or July. By February the cuts are expected to intensify to 16 hours a day. ..... With a government eager to build large-scale schemes pitted against an active civil society keener on small-scale hydropower, progress has stalled. And a middle way is needed fast. ...... a thorough study to establish the country’s true hydro potential was badly needed. ..... the ministry’s goal to produce 10,000 megawatts in 10 years ....... a nation only just emerging from the shadow of a decade-long civil war and desperate for development and growth. Government policy therefore remains large-scale and export-oriented. ..... The early 1990s marked the World Bank’s infamous withdrawal from the 404-megawatt Arun III project located on the eponymous river in north-eastern Nepal. On the basis of a petition filed by members of the local community and activists, Nepal’s Supreme Court ruled that the World Bank and Nepalese government must provide information on the project to the public. There were several criticisms of the scheme, including the fear of a rise in the electricity tariff (the project’s estimated cost was US$5,400 [36,800 yuan] per kilowatt), the ecological impact of the plant on the rich biodiversity of the Arun Valley and the claim the project was too big for Nepal (the cost was equal to the country’s entire annual budget). ....... Then came the Mahakali Treaty between Nepal and India in the mid-1990s, which envisioned the 315-metre high, multipurpose Pancheshwar dam, with water-storage capacity of 12.3 billion cubic metres and a 6,480 megawatt power house. Nepal’s Supreme Court determined that the treaty required ratification by a two third majority of the parliament. After intense debate, the agreement was finally ratified on November 27, 1996, but deep disagreement split the main opposition party (the United Marxist Leninists). The treaty stipulated that the detailed project report (DPR) would be completed in six months, but more than 10 years after signing it, India and Nepal have failed to make significant progress. ......... India is drawn by water and irrigation, not electricity. “India imports power from Bhutan, its friendly neighbour; it has signed nuclear deal with the US; and has its own hydro capacity in north-east and other parts,” he says. “So, it would be incorrect to say that it is eyeing Nepal’s hydroelectricity.” Electrical engineer Bimal Gurung disagrees: “India, which is increasingly drawn into the climate-change debate, can’t use thermal plant,” he argues. “It would be cheaper to import from its geographically close neighbour Nepal than from remote Bhutan.” ...... the Bhutanese model, in which India builds the project and then imports the power, has drawn criticism from experts in Nepal. In an article published in Himal Southasian magazine in August, leading water-resource expert Dipak Gyawali termed the model, a “neo-colonial path to power”. ...... The 750-megawatt West Seti project has been through many ups and downs, culminating in the sudden withdrawal of its Chinese investor early last year. Initially conceived as a 77-megawatt run-of-the-river project, it was later optimised to a 195-metre, concrete face rockfill dam capable of producing 750 megawatts of electricity. But, if it goes ahead, it is feared the dam will displace the people of four districts. The reservoir will cover 25 square kilometres and have a volume of around 1.5 billion cubic metres. ...... there is money in Nepal but lack of security is hindering investment. ..... “Not all big dams are bad and not all small dams are good.” The solution may be promoting micro hydropower as well as investing in environmentally friendly and sustainable medium-sized and large-scale projects
Status Of Hydroelectricity In Nepal: Potential And Challenges
Hydro-electricity (hydel) is the most widely used form of renewable electricity in the world. .... Once a hydel project is completely constructed, it will produce no more direct waste and has very less output level of green house gas CO2 than other fossil fuel powered plants. Moreover unlike other renewable energy resources like solar and wind (intermittent energy sources), where sunlight and blowing wind is not available everytime, hydel can ensure 24/7/365 supply of energy as water always keeps on flowing. Therefore hydel is one of the best renewable energy sources. ...... Only three power plants generating over 10 GW are in operation in world currently, namely: Three Gorges Dam(22.5GW), Itaipu Dam(14GW), and Guri Dam(10.2GW)
Economy of Nepal
Progress has been made in exploiting Nepal's natural resources, tourism and hydroelectricity. With eight of the world's 10 highest mountain peaks, including Mount Everest at 8,848 m. In the early 1990s, one large public sector project and a number of private projects were planned; some have been completed. The most significant private sector financed hydroelectric projects currently in operation are the Khimti Khola (60 MW) and the Bhote Koshi Project (36 MW).The project is still undergoing and has dependancy on India to take the further steps .......... The environmental impact of Nepal's hydroelectric projects has been limited by the fact that most are "run-of-the-river" with only one storage project undertaken to date. The largest under active consideration is the private sector West Seti (750 MW) storage project which is dedicated to exports. Negotiations with India for a power purchase agreement have been underway for several years, but agreement on pricing and capital financing remains a problem. Currently demand for electricity is increasing at 8%-10% a year whereas Nepal's option to have agreement with India will make this fulfillment against demand
Presentation On Hydro Power Development In Nepal June 2011
The average annual precipitation is approximately 1700 mm (80% of which occurs during the monsoon season - June to September). The total annual average run-off from the nation's 600 perennial rivers flowing from high mountains is over 200 billion cu.m....... Nepal's storage potential is estimated at 88 billion cu.m ..... cooperation between the neighboring countries and going for Intra-national Grid is essential for the best use of the hydro resource for mutual benefit...... In coming decades, Nepal’s power sector is expected to boom tremendously. Hydropower Projects currently under construction, planned, and proposed should boost the country’s total generating capacity up to 22,000 MW, half of the country’s economical hydropower potential
FDI in Nepal’s Hydropower Sector: A Focus on the Product
To develop the hydropower sector, we need foreign direct investment (FDI) because Nepal’s own resources both in the public and private sector cannot meet the financial investment needed to do that. A large investment is required from foreign development agencies and private sector entrepreneurs. ...... Currently, Nepal is harnessing less than 1 percent of its potential hydropower energy and the country depends on bio-fuels, mainly wood, to meet its energy needs. It also spends a lot funds on petroleum products. This has had serious consequences for Nepal’s environment. ...... What is needed for Nepal to emerge itself as one of the richest countries in the region is to develop water and human resources simultaneously. ..... A macro-economic study has concluded that in order to eradicate absolute poverty in households, the country needs to register 8% economic growth rate. This will help to bring the level of percentage of population below poverty line to 10% and by 2027 there will be no household in absolute poverty. No other sector of economy other than hydropower is in a position to help achieve this goal. ...... the installed capacity of hydropower by ownership currently amounts to 561.231 MW (389.150 MW in public major projects, 69.34 % of total capacity, 133.113 MW in private power projects; 23.72% of total capacity, 200.00 MW in public-private joint ventures, 3.56 % of total capacity; and 189.68 MW in small hydropower projects, 3.38% of total capacity) ...... FDI may be in the form of loan, contract, or as a grant aid. ..... More than 500 hydropower projects of different capacity have been identified in the country. ..... The most recent private hydropower development projects are almost all proposed by Indian or Indian-Nepali joint investors. ..... The Indian companies are perhaps best suited to operate in Nepal due to their proximity, cultural and economic understanding of the Nepali situation, and relatively low cost of their professional and other costs. ..... the recent budget has enlisted an even more ambitious plan of generating 10, 000 MW in ten years. ..... Since 1992, the private sector development of the hydropower was seen as the best approach to utilize Nepal's most important economic potential while utilizing the private sector efficiency. ..... Although the previous few private power development were carried out by the US, Australian, Chinese and a few other companies, the most successful ventures have been the ones organized by the Nepali investors. ...... The policy should aid hydropower development, not personal development of politicians and bureaucrats. Too often, government officials and investors make surveys, licenses and taxes a means to their personal development. ...... We have bitter examples like Mukti Shree Pvt. Ltd. (an unknown company) which was awarded the license for the largest multipurpose project of Nepal (Karnali Chisapani 10,800 MW) and West Seti Storage Project, and also Power Purchase Agreements (PPA) for Upper Modi, Daram Khola, Langtangkhola and Madi. Their licenses have not been cancelled yet although they are unknown company. Such companies get involved in “Tender Bids” and get some money from other companies by taking out their tenders. Because of poor policy and corruption, there is no any incentive to revoke their licenses. However, recently, the government seems to be making some progress in penalizing such companies. ...... India’s demand for power would grow to 200,000 MW by 2018. If Nepal could fast-track projects to generate just 10,000 MW in ten years, consume 2,000 MW itself and export the rest to India, it could earn $2.7 billion a year. ...... in the fiscal year 2005/06, NRs 2.45 billions has been spent to import petroleum products. If the same amount of money were spent for developing hydropower, we could generate 29.9 MW hydropower electricity (for instance, in Chilme Hydropower Project, 1 KW production cost = $1550 = NRs.108500). ...... India and Bangladesh are two major markets for hydropower. ....... In recent years, three Nepali power projects like Chilime (20 MW) in Rasuwa, Piluwa (3 MW) in Sankhuwasabha and Jhimruk (12 MW) in Pyuthan proved that Nepal can now generate cheap electricity with locally-built and locally-financed hydropower schemes. ..... The donor-funded projects come with strings attached, they have to be designed and managed by international consultants and built by other contractors. Thus, a large amount of money goes back to the donors
Nepal clears China plan for $1.6 bln hydroelectric dam
The project, set to be completed in 2019, is expected to ease the crippling power shortage in Nepal whose economy is still emerging from a decade-long civil war - conflict that scared away investors and slowed infrastructure projects. ..... Two weeks ago, the Natural Resources and Means Committee of the parliament, asked for the project work to be halted due to allegations of irregularities in awarding the contract to the Chinese company without any international bidding...... The Chinese firm, which was to own a 75 percent stake in it while the state-owned Nepal Electricity Authority would take the rest, threatened to pull out after the parliamentary panel ordered an inquiry. ...... According to Lakshman Ghimire, a member of the committee, the Chinese firm should be given only 51 percent stakes instead of 75 percent and the remaining distributed among the public in the remote villages where the project is to be located. ..... Nepal's economy grew 3.5 percent in 2010-11, down from 4.8 percent in the previous year with the country facing 14 hours of daily power cuts during the dry season when its rivers flow slowly. ..... Aid-dependent Nepal, with 900 megawatt of electricity shortage, is one of the world's 10 poorest countries where tourism and hydropower are two key areas in which the government is trying to attract foreign investment
The neocolonial path to power
At first glance, Bhutan certainly appears to have achieved better hydropower development than its Himalayan neighbour. Three times smaller in landmass and with a population one-fiftieth of Nepal’s, the current generating capacity of Bhutan (at 1488 megawatts) is twice that of Nepal. The Punatsangchhu-I hydro plant, under construction with a 60 percent grant and 40 percent soft loan from India, will add another 1020 MW by 2016. Such cheap development capital means that Bhutanese consumers pay a mere INR 1.30 per unit of electricity, allowing them to cook food and heat homes with electricity. Currently, about 70 percent of the 123,000 households in Bhutan have access to electricity, and by 2013 the entire country is expected to be electrified. ...... Though Bhutan has twice the electricity-generation capacity of Nepal, around 80 percent of its electricity is exported to India, leaving only about 300 MW for consumption in Bhutan. Of this, only 80 MW is for domestic use, while the rest goes to southern Bhutan to be consumed by various Indian-owned industries, such as cement factories, lured here by the availability of cheap electricity. Subsidised electricity has led to booming demand, which grew by 19 percent from 2007 to 2008, increasing a further 27 percent in 2009 and 54 percent in 2010. ...... Nepal’s chronic power crisis precipitated by its unstable politics ..... India, despite its close friendship with Bhutan, cannot provide cheap power to its smaller neighbour due to its own 10,000 MW electricity shortage in the grid of North India, a fact not understood by today’s Nepali politicians. ...... the mirage of the Mahakali and political infighting ...... Exploring new power policies beyond the straitjacket imposed by hegemonic Indian plans, Bhutan’s hydrocrats have initiated medium-sized plants more suited to Bhutan’s economy. The 126 MW Dagachu and the 208 MW Nikhachu schemes are being developed using a public-private partnership model supported by the Kyoto Protocol’s Clean Development Mechanism, which has come about in the wake of international concerns over global climate change. Recent changes in water policy require all power exporters to give 15 percent of their energy free to the Bhutanese grid as royalty. ....... The feasibility study of the 4000 MW Sunkhosh is now complete, but Bhutanese officials do not seem interested to push it. During a recent four-day stay in Thimphu, this writer heard a uniform refrain from many officials: We cannot be confrontationists like you Nepalis – but inundation projects are our last priority, to be done only if the pressure from India becomes too strong to resist. ...... Besides electricity, storage dams provide flood control, irrigation, fisheries, navigation and tourism, from which different economic actors benefit in varying degrees. As Nepal (and India) has not built any significant multipurpose project, its policymakers have no idea how these benefits can be allocated in an equitable manner, nor how the political, economic, social and environmental issues need sorting out. ...... at least 50 percent of the benefits of a storage dam are in areas outside the electricity sector, which must be accounted for. ..... the regulated water released in the dry season would lead to massive agricultural expansion in the plains, and flood-control benefits would result when the summer peak flood is lopped off to be stored in the reservoirs. As Bhutan does not have any Tarai plains, it is the downstream riparian areas that will reap the non-power benefits from reservoir projects in upstream Bhutan. New Delhi hopes to capture these valuable benefits from regulated water released from storage reservoirs in the dry season and, through its river-linking plan, to transport such waters to the dry western part of the country. ..... A rent-seeking, royalty-earning model might enrich governments, politicians and senior bureaucrats for some time, much like the Arab sheikhdoms, but it does nothing to develop national capacity – which is what development is, in the true sense. ..... Despite state indifference due to the Nepali hydrocracy’s infatuation with foreign aid, the survey, design, geo-technical engineering, contracting, construction and some equipment manufacture and maintenance are now done by Nepalis in small factories and consultancy services, for projects from a few hundred kilowatts to some 20 MW. The importance of such capacity is evident from the fact that Bhutanese power managers, during visits to the Bhutanese gomba (monastery) located in the Boudha area of Kathmandu, also take the opportunity to visit nearby factories to procure services for plant maintenance in Bhutan
Nepal India Cooperation on Hydropower (NICOH)
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Thursday, August 23, 2012

Hydropower In Nepal: Videos

In The News

'Pro-federalists' alliance is long-term strategy: Dahal
"This force may work as an electoral alliance or may go for protests jointly in future if need be." ..... The alliance has said its immediate plan is to form a broader political force with the objective of garnering an overwhelming majority in the next CA polls, to promulgate a constitution ensuring a federal democratic system based on ethnic identity and to expose the elements that are against ´a forward-looking and progressive constitution".
Dahal heads 26-party 'pro-federalist' alliance
Finance Minister Barshaman Pun from UCPN (Maoist), Minister for Physical Planning and Works Hridayesh Tripathi from Tarai-Madhes Democratic Party (TMDP), Jitendra Dev of Madhesi People´s Rights Forum-Democratic (MPRF-D), Prem Bahadur Singh of Socialist People´s Party and Bishwendra Paswan of Dalit Janajati Party are in the taskforce. ..... Parties represented at the meeting include UCPN (Maoist), Madhesi People´s Rights Forum, Madhesi People´s Rights Forum-Democratic, Madhesi People´s Rights Forum-Republican, Tarai-Madhes Democratic Party, Federal Sadbhavana Party, Rastriya Sadbhavana Party, Sadbhavana Party, Nepal Democratic Socialist Party, Nepal Family Party, CPN-ML (Socialist), Churebhawar Rastriya Ekta Party, Tamsaling Nepal Rastriya Dal, Nawa Janawadi Morcha, Nawa Nepal Nirwan Party and Nepaa Rastriya Party, among others.
UML spawns more divergence on federalism
The CPN-UML has failed to rescue itself from a morass of intra-party disputes over state restructuring, with the failure of its central committee (CC) to come up with any unanimous official position on federalism. ..... At least five divergent views emerged at the conclusion of the CC meeting and these were officially registered at the party secretariat. .... the number of members lobbying against federalism is on the increase in the UML.
No alternative to federalism with strong identity basis
Some parties were ready to accept the death of CA, but not to accept federalism. .... At one point, we collected up to 407 signatures of CA members in favor of federalism. But even then, we could not save the CA. What we learned from this was that although the vast majority of the CA members were in favor of federalism, there were other spoilsports who would commit to agreements but back off when it came to implementing them. ..... federalism is the necessity of the traditionally marginalized communities like Madhesis, Janajatis, Adhiwasis, women and Muslims ..... Those who have been benefitting from the existing state structure are reluctant to address the identity question of the marginalized groups. The reason federalism became such a contested topic was not over the issue of demarcation or nomenclature of states, but because of the reluctance of the old elites to let go of their traditional powers and privileges. .... Even now there are many forces that say the next election should be for a parliament as the CA has already proven to be a failure. But how will such a parliament be elected and what rights will it have? Until NC and UML can come up with clear answers to these questions, this option will not be acceptable to us. The constitution must come through a CA proper. ..... The opposition parties cannot create national consensus by leaving aside the forces in the current ruling coalition. .... The other important point is that all the major parties are suffering from various internal problems. The reason they are demanding the government’s resignation is to try to divert attention away from these in-party divisions. This is also one of the main reasons we have not been able to arrive at meaningful agreements. The noise about resignation is purely for public consumption. ..... If we are to go for reinstatement, we will need to settle contentious issues beforehand because we have seen how political leaders who were not even the members of CA were trying to forge vital agreements outside the formal CA mechanism. ..... These players were determined to abort the CA because they didn’t want a mechanism that didn’t include them to promulgate the constitution. .... the opposition parties had been saying that they would solve the constitutional issues in a matter of days as soon as the issue of integration of PLA was settled. But when there was a major breakthrough in integration on April 10 and only some technical issues remained, the same people made a U-turn. They now started nitpicking .... There can be no alternative to federal Nepal and federalism with strong identity component.
President rejects ordinances
While rejecting the ordinances, the president´s office argued that the they are not "relevant" in light of the cancellation of the November 22 polls. ..... the President may, on the recommendation of the Council of Ministers, promulgate any Ordinance as required without prejudice to the provisions set forth in the Interim Constitution. .... the president has already approved the budget, two ordinances on anti-money laundering and another on the perks and facilities for former VIPS. .... The president has already publicly spoken against the government move to rule the country through ordinances. And Dahal said the president decided not to promulgate the ordinance related to the election as they lacked "minimum political understanding".
Prez urges Dahal's role to break deadlock
President Ram Baran Yadav has once again asked Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal to play a special role in his capacity as the leader of the largest party, to find a solution to the present political and constitutional deadlock. ..... The president urged the chairman of the Maoist party during a meeting with leaders of the newly formed pro-federalist alliance led by Dahal, at Shital Niwas on Thursday evening. ..... "You are the leader who should and can take on a special responsibility, after the death of Girija Prasad Koirala, to find a solution to the present political deadlock"
NC backs Khum Bahadur to the hilt
A Central Working Committee (CWC) meeting of the party that began Thursday termed the court verdict ´unjust´ ..... At the outset of the meeting, President Sushil Koirala had told that NC was under attack from various quarters. While putting the issue of court verdict against Khadka an agenda for discussion in the meeting, Koirala had argued that the verdict had put Khadka into ´injustice´. ..... argued that only NC leaders were victimized as the Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) had filed graft cases selectively against NC leaders during the direct rule of then King Gyanendra also. Earlier, the court convicted Govinda Raj Joshi, Chiranjeevi Wagle and former NC leader J P Gupta of corruption. ..... Deuba also alleged that courts and anti-graft bodies were biased against NC leaders and spared the leaders from other political parties. .... decided to call the party´s Mahasamiti meeting from October 10 to 13 in Janakpur.
Leaders agree on mixed system of governance
a mixed system of governance in which the executive powers will be shared between the directly-elected president and parliament-elected prime minister. During discussions led by top leaders of political parties at CA building in Baneshwar on Sunday evening, the leaders also agreed on directly-elected vice-president. ..... “As far as the possibility of conflict between the two power centers is concerned, the constitution will define the jurisdictions and the parliament will be mandated to arbitrate in disputes between the head of state and the head of government.” .... Tripathi said such a system is already practised in Finland .... leaders discussed other contentious issues such as state restructuring, electoral model, judicial system and the provisions of citizenship to be enshrined in the new constitution. ..... form the constitutional court with a mandate to arbitrate in disputes between the federal and provincial governments or between one province with another or between the province and local bodies. ..... UCPN (Maoist), Madhes-based political parties and ethnic leaders have been lobbying for the constitutional court but Nepali Congress (NC), CPN-UML and some other small political parties opposed the idea saying creating a body parallel to the Supreme Court would invite unnecessary friction in the judiciary. ..... such a court would have a defined jurisdiction and would have a five-year term after the promulgation of the new constitution.

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