Himachal Pradesh Withdraws Supreme Court Petition on Kashang Hydro Project
The Himachal Pradesh government has retracted its Supreme Court petition against a National Green Tribunal ruling that halted the Kashang hydroelectric project until local gram sabhas approve it. This decision aligns with the Congress party's commitment to uphold the Forest Rights Act, emphasizing the need for tribal consent in project approvals.

The Himachal Pradesh government has withdrawn its petition to challenge a National Green Tribunal (NGT) order that halted the Kashang hydroelectric project pending approval from local gram sabhas. This action, taken within a week of filing, reflects the Congress party's stance against the previous state government's approach, which criticized the involvement of local tribal communities in the decision-making process regarding the project.
The NGT had previously suspended forest clearance for the 130 MW project, citing violations of the Forest Rights Act (FRA) due to lack of consent from affected gram sabhas. The withdrawal demonstrates a commitment to uphold tribal rights and the FRA, which mandates local consent for projects impacting forest areas. Ongoing discussions between state and central Congress leadership influenced this decision, highlighting the party's focus on maintaining strong support for forest dwellers' rights.




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