Biodiversity & Karot Hydropower Project
The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is a 3,000-kilometer-long route of infrastructure projects including the construction of dams and connects Xinjiang Region and the Gwadar Port. 720MW Karot Hydropower project is a milestone achieved after six years of construction.
The project will add more power to the energy sector by supplying electricity to about five million people in the country and will also help in reducing electricity prices. This project is also significant due to biodiversity and positive impact on the environment.
The leadership of Pakistan and China are committed to a green, clean and sustainable future for their countries. Prime Minister Imran Khan has termed the present decade as the “Decade of Dams”, where ten major dams are under construction.
The dams include Diamer-Bhasha Dam, Mohmand Dam, Dasu Hydropower Project, Kyal Khwar Dam, etc. These projects are scheduled to be completed one by one. These projects are just complementing other hydropower projects under the CPEC Framework.
On the other hand, during the opening session of APEC 2021, President Xi of China stated that “A sound eco-environment is the most basic public good that benefits all”. This shows the Chinese leadership’s willingness to work with international partners to solve the emerging climate issues.
Hydropower projects have a relationship to local biodiversity, the freshwater bodies on which they are built are home to significant species in the ecosystem.
As the largest renewable energy source, making up more than half of global renewable energy production, hydropower is part of the solution to protecting the planet’s biosphere – and all life on Earth – by decarbonizing the global economy.
The first hydropower Project under CPEC, 720MW Karot Hydropower Project is being developed by one of the world’s largest renewable energy companies “China Three Gorges”, on the Jhelum River, straddling AJK and the province of Punjab, falling in Kahuta sub-division in Punjab and District Kotli in AJK.
When completed, the power plant will generate 3.2 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity, meeting the power demand of five million people.
It will also reduce 3.5 million metric tons of carbon emissions annually and save around 1.4 million tons of standard coal equivalent each year which as a result will effectively alleviate local power shortage and spur economic growth.
For the management of the environmental and social impacts associated with the development of the project, an Environmental & Social Impact Assessment was carried out in line with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) requirements as well as those of national laws and approved by the Environmental Protection agencies of AJK, Punjab and IFC.
The outcome of the ESIA study revealed that the Jhelum River and its tributaries include almost 43 fish species upstream of Mangla Reservoir that are essential breeding grounds for the aquatic habitat.
The construction of the project would affect the biodiversity of the project area, especially the aquatic and terrestrial habitats.
To mitigate and protect the biodiversity of the project area, a comprehensive Biodiversity Management Plan (BMP) was developed for construction and operation stages of the project in line with the IFC’s PS 6 and approved by the Governments of Punjab and AJK for implementation.
The BMP addresses regional biodiversity concerns and focuses on achieving ‘No Net Loss’ of the aquatic fauna under the International Finance Corporation’s Performance Standard 6.
Since the exponential growth of Islamabad and Rawalpindi and the recent discussions relating to the protection of the Margalla Hills National Park in Islamabad, the general discussion regarding protection measures of other national parks around the country has kick-started.
Knowing the value of the biodiversity, Karot Project is also striving to protect nearby two National Parks namely Azad Pattan National Park notified by the Government of AJK, and the second is the Murree-Kahuta-Kotli Sattian (MKKS) National Park notified by the Government of Punjab.
These National Parks encircle the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi and are a source of ecological tourism and clean air for its residents. Both parks will add value to national tourism, forestation and campaigns for the construction of dams.
These two national parks are included in the Catchment Area of the reservoir of the Karot Hydropower Project. The reservoir of the Karot Project extends 27 Km upstream up to the Azad Pattan Bridge.
Overall major BMPs components included protecting the project area through Watch & Ward System; developing Sediment Mining Management Plan activities, and developing national Parks Management Plans through an inclusive implementation strategy that include Government Departments, Karot Project, and, most importantly, the local community. The Company engaged the International Union of Conservation of Nature (IUCN) to implement the BMP.
IUCN has a presence worldwide with 50 offices and runs projects all around the world The IUCN is a leader in environmental work in the country both at policy and community levels, working toward a sustainable future.
The conservation of nature and green infrastructure development is a global development path. This path is also aligned with the Green and Hi-quality Development of the Belt and Road Initiative.
Keeping in mind the expectations of the people of Pakistan, The Karot Project is pursuing its best endeavors to promote environmental and biodiversity protection at the Project.
The writer is Assistant professor of Media Studies at National University of Modern Languages, Islamabad
