Environmental issues in the energy sector

This paper seeks to investigate the environmental impacts of hydro and thermal power projects, specifically of large dams and coal based thermal power stations. After identifying the likely environmental impacts of such projects, the paper investigates the reasons why such impacts are not adequately controlled in projects in India. The paper also explores the problems with the planning process. It attempts to identify some of the basic problems with the power sector in India and ends by giving a series of specific recommendations which might make the energy sector more friendly to the environment. (author)