The construction of Mangdechhu hydropower project, which is in full swing, will destroy about 219 acres of vegetation cover, according to the environment impact assessment and environment management report.
As the construction progresses, the vegetation cover will have to give way to dam site excavation, road network, tunnels and transmission line among others.
The project falls in between protected parks.
To compensate and protect the environment, the project has come up with number of measures. Using of Geo textile technology is one of them. Geo textile technology is using a net like jute carpet over the destroyed slopes to stabilise the soil till the vegetation grows back.
The jute carpet lasts for two seasons.
But the Chief Environment Officer, Dr.Durga, said plantation of vegetation over the destroyed area will be stronger than any man-made structures. Thus, the environment division along with forest department has taken up the Compensatory Afforestation Plan. Under this plan, they have planted trees in about 24 acres of barren land in Trongsa. According to the environment officials, the plantation was done as per the availability of the plant species and climatic condition.
Meanwhile, the project was slapped a fine of Nu. 70,000 by the Dzongkhag Environment Committee, for dumping construction materials without environment clearance.
