Nearly two years ago, residents of Raini villagers told Uttarkhand High Court that the construction of the Rishi Ganga hydel project could cause huge damage to them. The project site in Raini village area falls under Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve, just a few kilometres from Nanda Devi National Park. The PIL alleged that stone crushing and blasting activities in the terrain there caused wild animals to flee and enter Raini village. In 2019, he said, the matter of muck removal near Raini village also came up in the hearing. Negi said that villagers of Raini village had raised an alarm much in advance, warning that things were not fine in their area.

Source: Hindustan Times February 07, 2021 17:59 UTC