A pro-dam environmentalist locked horns having divergent views over the issue of hydro power projects on the Bhagirathi river in Uttarakashi district of Uttarakhand.

“Construction of such projects would obliterate the river and affect the fragile eco-system of the area,” noted environmentalist GD Agrawal said today. He went on an indefinite fast at Haridwar seeking shut down of NTPC’s 600 MW Loharinag Pala hydel project. Agarwal had undertaken similar protests in 2008 and 2009, a move that forced the Centre and the state government to suspend three projects – 480 MW Pala Maneri and 381 MW Bhaironghati, besides Loharinag Pala project on the Bhagirathi river.