Gulpur Power Plant: AJK govt, South Korean firm sign agreements

The 102MW project has been designed to protect endangered species.

MUZAFFARABAD: An agreement between a South Korean company and the Government of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) has been signed for the construct a hydro power project.

Three agreements were signed by officials from Korean firm Mira Power and the AJK government for implementation, water use and land lease.

Prime Minister Chaudhry Abdul Majeed, South Korean Ambassador Jong Hwan-Song, Minister for Power Development Organisation Chaudhry Muhammad Yaseen, Managing Director Public-Private Investment Board (PPIB) Shah Jahan Mirza and others were also present.

The 102MW hydel power project will be built on Poonch River at Gulpur in Kotli District.

Speaking about the special features, Mira Power Chief Executive Officer Yoon Tae-hak said the project has been designed to achieve net gains in the populations of endangered species through the implementation of the Biodiversity Action Plan.

The biodiversity plan aims at protecting the endangered Mahseer fish in the Poonch River and increasing the fish population.

PPIB Managing Director Mirza Shah Jahan praised the company’s environmental preparations for the project in compliance with international best practices.

According to the environmental impact assessment for the project, conducted by Haggler Bailey Pakistan, a total of 37 fish species have been recorded in the Poonch River. Of them, 16 are species of special significance because of their economic importance or conservation status.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 18^th, 2015.