INCREASING power production will have a disastrous effect on the environment, said G P Singh, chairperson of the Uttar Pradesh State Electricity Board (upseb) at a seminar on thermal power held in Lucknow recently. He added that this is happening even though environmental appraisal has now become a statutory obligation for all companies.

According to estimates, during the next two decades, about 10,000- 12,000 megawatt (mw) capacity will be added every year. Bulk of this will come from thermal power-generating units. This will lead to depletion of resources, displacement of population, health hazards, drastic changes in the landuse pattern and reduction in crop yield besides a loss of forests, Singh added. Another participant at the seminar, C V G Varma, secretary, central board of irrigation and power, hoped that by the turn of the century there will be small gas-based turbines in every household. This, he added, would reduce pollution substantially.

Several other papers presented at the seminar sounded a warning note against hydrocarbons and nitrogen and carbon monoxide, which are emitted by thermal power plants.