Journal of Environment and Earth Science www.iiste.org ISSN 2224-3216 (Paper) ISSN 2225-0948 (Online) Vol. 3, No.3, 2013 54 Socio-economic impacts of Sorang hydroelectric power project in District Kinnaur, Himachal Pradesh, India. Renu Lata, Madhuri. S. Rishi, Naresh Kochhar* and Ranjana Sharma Department of Environment Studies, Department of Geology* Panjab University, Chandigarh-160014 Email- renu15_negi@yahoo.co.in Abstract Electricity is one of the key determinants for economic growth of a nation. Over the past decade or so, hydropower projects (HEP) around the world have attracted much attention concerning the environmental and social impacts that have arisen from such developments. Construction and operations of dams have always been associated with changes in the physical and biological environment. No doubt electricity generation is the need of the hours for development, but the large projects do involve the submersion of forests and the displacement of people. Socio-economic and cultural impacts arising from project construction and environmental transformations are rooted in the complex interactivity between social and biophysical environments. Human communities are integral components of their environment as well as potential agents for environmental change. Hence environmental changes in settled areas are often profoundly interlinked with subsequent changes that occur within society. The interests of local must be listened to and taken care of during the planning and the policy makers must adopt a model or strategies so that the impacts and effects of such type developmental activities can be minimized and local people who are living in the vicinity as well as who have sacrificed their belongings. To maximize the positive impacts and mitigate the negative environmental, social and economic impacts sustainability of water resources projects is required. This paper refers the perception of the public with regards to the impact of the Sorang HEP and other development activities and need for sustainable development to maintain balance with the environment of hilly and fragile area. Keywords: Hydropower Projects (HEP), Socio-economic, Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), Sustainability. Introduction The increasing global demand for energy combined with the ongoing quest for clean, renewable energy has been a topic of perceived interest amongst countries of developed and developing status worldwide. Hydropower is a renewable, economic, non-polluting and environmental friendly source of energy. It has been one of the sources of energy harnessed for centuries in different parts of the world. Hydropower has generated a great deal of interest because it is inexhaustible source of energy & a moderate method for providing electricity to far flung areas in hilly regions. India has achieved remarkable progress in the field of power development since independence in 1947.The rate of growth of installed capacity, though impressive, has not been able to keep pace with the increase in power demand and as a result the country is presently facing peak power shortages of varying degree in various regions of the country. It has been estimated that country needs to add about 9% of its installed capacity every year in next decade so as to meet increasing power demand. India has an enormous hydro electric power potential of around 148700 MW (84044 MW at 60% load factor) (Singh, 2008). The present installed generating capacity in the country is 1, 07,973 MW. Out of which the share of hydro power is about 25% (i.e.26, 910 MW) (Fig.1). Hydro Electric Power Projects (HEP) in Kinnaur With the growth of economy, the demand for energy increases tremendously due to rapid industrialization, better standard of living and increased infrastructure network. As conventional sources of energy are limited, there is an immediate need to explore new and alternative source of energy. Hydro electric power is one of the alternative sources of energy, and Himachal Pradesh has been blessed with vast hydro electric potential in its five river basins, namely Sutlej, Ravi, Beas, Yamuna and Chenab. Table 1.summarizes hydroelectric power potential of kinnaur and gives their detailed status of development. General Features of the Sorang Hydro project The Sorang hydroelectric project is a run-of-the-river type development on Sorang Khad, a tributary of Satluj River, in district Kinnaur, Himachal Pradesh. The project consists of construction of trench weir across Sorang Khad at an elevation of 1943.50 m. The water flow directed shall be fed through 1.540 km. long head race