The Indian government has announced that it will not permit any new hydroelectric projects in the upper reaches of the Ganga river, a decision hailed by environmentalists as a major victory.
The move comes after the Supreme Court granted the government three months to decide on the recommendations of a committee that had cleared 28 such projects.
However, seven projects that are already commissioned or at an advanced stage of construction will be allowed to proceed, despite warnings from experts that they carry significant risks.
The upper Ganga basin is considered one of the most ecologically volatile stretches of the Himalayas, prone to landslides, glacial lake outburst floods, and other natural disasters.
The decision is seen as a major victory for environmentalists who have been fighting against the construction of hydroelectric projects in the region, citing concerns about their impact on the environment and local communities.
Experts have warned that even the projects that have been cleared carry significant risks, and that the government's decision to allow them to proceed is a cause for concern.
