North-western Himalayan region with its wide range of altitudes, topography and climatic conditions, is a rich repository of medicinal wealth, which occupies an important place in Vedic treatise. More than 800 no. valuable medicinal species found in this part of India is extensively used by the locals since time immemorial for curing various diseases of humankind.

Desertification is one of the most serious problems facing the world today. Large tracts of the dry areas that cover more than one third of the earth?s crust are being degraded or are in the process of degradation, posing serious threats to environment.

Integrated watershed management is aimed at minimizing the rate of sediment flow in the streams being harnessed for hydro power generation. The main aim of the Catchment Area Treatment Plan is to rejuvenate various potential and degraded ecosystems in the catchment area for longevity of the underground balancing reservoir storage capacity.

The need for the integrated Kashang HEP, located in the Sutluj basin which stores 9412 MW power potential being 46% of the total hydro power potential of the state, has therefore been considered in context of power shortage in Northern Region. The discharge characteristics of Kashang and Kerang khads is also favourable with unique parameter i.e.