Hydropower Projects Threaten Modi River's Survival in Parbat, Locals Allege Non-Compliance with Water Release Standards

Parbat. The Modi River in Parbat is facing a crisis due to hydropower projects failing to release water according to mandated standards. In the Parbat section of the Modi River, there are four projects operating under the Nepal Electricity Authority: the 14.8 MW Modi Khola Hydropower Center, the 15.8 MW Madhya Modi Hydropower Limited, the 20 MW Lower Modi Khola Hydropower Project, and the 10 MW Lower Modi 'A'.

Among these, three projects are operational in Modi Rural Municipality and one in Kushma Municipality. According to Nepal's Hydropower and Water Resource Policy, projects are legally required to continuously release at least 25 percent of the natural flow into the river. However, the Modi River is in peril because this provision is not being practically implemented.

Aquatic life is also endangered due to the lack of water flow in the river. The existence of the famous Asala fish of the Modi River is also diminishing. The first project to commence operation in the Modi River was the Modi Khola Hydropower Center in Bikram Sambat 2057. Its water dam reservoir is located at Beteni, while the powerhouse is in Patichaur. Madhya Modi Hydro's water dam reservoir is at Birethanti, and its powerhouse is at Beteni.

Similarly, the dam reservoir for the Lower Modi Khola Hydropower Project is at Patichaur, and the powerhouse is at Paradi in Kushma. From the New Bridge, which borders Kaski and Parbat, up to Chuwa in Kushma Municipality-8, Parbat, for a distance of nearly 12 kilometers, not even a drop of water can be seen. Local resident Devi Lamichhane stated that this is making the daily lives of the local people difficult.

The dam reservoir for the 10 MW Lower Modi Khola Hydropower Project, located in Chuwa, Kushma Municipality, is dammed at Paradi. Its powerhouse is constructed at Suitebour in Chuwa. All four powerhouses are situated sequentially. The water released from the dam reservoir of one powerhouse barely flows into the river before being captured by the dam of the next powerhouse. This cascading effect is also causing a water crisis in the Modi River.

Modi Rural Municipality stated that although they call the responsible staff of the hydropower plants as soon as the dry season begins and request them to release the legally mandated water into the river, this request is not being implemented. The Vice-Chairperson of Modi Rural Municipality, Bimal Lamichhane, said, "The coastal settlements are at risk of being affected because the hydropower plants are not releasing water into the Modi River. We have held executive committee meetings and sent letters and conducted monitoring of the concerned hydro operators many times, asking them to release water according to standards, but they never heed our requests."

The Rural Municipality receives an annual royalty of nearly Rs 1.5 crore from the electricity generated from the Modi River. Locals have demanded an end to activities that cause long-term environmental damage in the name of electricity generation. Warning companies not to play with nature for their self-interest, they noted that ants are now walking where water should be flowing. "Irrigation farming that depends on the river water has been affected. Problems are starting to arise in drinking water sources," said farmer Ramakanta Chhetri from Tilahar. "The fish in this area have disappeared, and the habitats of birds and wildlife have been destroyed. Who will listen to the talk of nature's exploitation?"

Complaints about the river drying up reach the District Administration Office from the public level every year. Discussions are held after summoning the staff of the hydropower plants, but implementation does not occur. "Last year, we called them and told them to release at least 10 percent of the water under any circumstances; such work that dries up the river and harms the environment cannot be allowed," said Assistant Chief District Officer Ganesh Prasad Poudel. "Can the Rural Municipality say they couldn't regulate it? Should we deploy the police, what should we do? They need to tell us that. We will call the hydro staff soon for a discussion."

Surendra Belbase, Chief of Lower Modi Hydropower Project, claimed that they are releasing water into the river according to standards. He claimed that while he doesn't know what other hydros are doing, they are indeed allowing water to flow into the river as per the standards.