A 270-megawatt semi-reservoir based hydropower project is to be developed in the Bheri River in between Nalgadh municipality in Jajarkot and Aathbiskot municipality in Rukum West.

The China Gezhouba Group Company Limited will be developing the Project and the Environment Impact Assessment Report regarding the project was discussed at the Ministry of Forests and Environment today.

During the discussions on the report at the recommendation committee determined by the Environment Protection Act- 2076 BS, Ministry joint-secretary Dhirendra Kumar Pradhan proposed to implement the project by ensuring that local bio-diversities and the livelihood of locals and indigenous peoples is affected less by the project.

Under Secretary Ramesh Basnet said the environmental study report is a scientific and legal document to be prepared for the sustainable operation of the project, just being a formal report.

Experts from various fields including bio-diversity, socio- economic and culture and pisciculture gave their views on the document.

NRAC Executive Director Dr Jyoti Prasad Gajurel said 24.75 hectares of land will be used for the project that required the removal of 152 trees if it is implemented. NRAC is the authorized body for carrying out the environmental study of the project.

According to him, a 38-metre-high dam will be constructed to store water for six hours and the project is expected to get complete in five years. Its estimated cost is Rs 46 billion. The powerhouse of the project will be based in Jyamire of Aathbisakot rural municipality in Rukum West, and a seven-kilometer tunnel will be constructed.

It has been said that to approach the project site, an 11-kilometer auxiliary route needs to be constructed from the main road. Likewise, three Bailey bridges will need to be constructed over the river.