Supreme Court Dismisses Petition Seeking Halt to Hydropower Project within National Park

Kathmandu. The Supreme Court has dismissed a writ petition demanding a halt to the construction of a hydropower project within a national park area.

The petition, filed on Baisakh 27, 2079 BS by Sumpa Tamang and others, sought to stop the 30-megawatt Langtang Khola Hydropower Project, which Multi Energy Development Pvt. Ltd. has been constructing within the Langtang National Park area since 2073 BS. 

The joint bench of Justices Tek Prasad Dhungana and Shanti Singh Thapa made the final decision to dismiss the writ on Mangsir 3.

Nirajan Pandey, Assistant Spokesperson for the Supreme Court, stated that the dismissal of the writ creates a possibility of an environment that will ease the construction of hydropower projects in national park areas. 

According to him, even though the writ has been dismissed, the full text of the decision is yet to be released.

Previously, on Jestha 24, 2079 BS, the court had also rejected the demand for an interim order. 

This project, which has been under construction for five years, was controversial due to concerns over environmental impact, wildlife conservation, and local community interests. 

However, with the court's decision, it is expected that this project and other infrastructure plans within the national park will gain long-term legal clarity.