Socio-economic impact of small hydropower: A case study of Bijayapur Hydropower Project, Kaski

Abstract

The present study was carried out in Bijayapur hydropower of Kaski. The survey was conducted with the aim of determining socio-economic impact of Small Hydropower Project (SHPP) through income and employment generation, health and sanitation, education and information technology and suggest solution for sustainable development of SHPP. In Kaski district there are five SHPP Mardi Khola, Bijayapur, Upper Madi, Seti and Fewa with the total 36.8 MW electricity generations which is connected to national grid. The Bijayapur hydropower generates 12.22% of total electricity production of Kaski which is 0.49% of total hydropower production in Nepal. The canal from the Seti hydropower is also mixed with Bijayapur river to generate the electricity. The present study has attempted to bring these aspects of the SHPP into the limelight through the study of socio-economic impact of Bijayapur HPP in the overall sector of the study area. The construction of project was started from the year 2067 B.S. with the financing of Rastriya Banijya Bank, Nabil Bank and Nepal Bank Ltd and was completed in the year 2069 B.S. The study has employed both primary and secondary data. Under the primary data, the study has been based on questionnaire, interview and direct observation of the project site and affected areas. Likewise, different reports and official publications regarding hydropower plants have been taken into consideration for the secondary data. The study has been found mixed socio-economic impact of the project on the project affected areas. The populations of the surrounding area have been increased due to the development of this project. After the installation of SHPP around 28 local peoples have fully involved in job. In the study area, Ram Jyoti Secondary School has increased its infrastructure which increase the performance of the students enrolled in it after the donation from the hydropower to the school. This also increases the living standard of the people in the study area To sum up, installation of Bijayapur hydropower project is significant from several angles like to fulfill national demand of electricity, uplift income and living standard of local people.