Bhagirathi River Valley Development Authority, Uttaranchal.
Constituted under section 3(1) of 
The Uttaranchal River Valley (Development & Management) Act. 2005.
(The Uttaranchal Act No. 06 of 2005.)

Brief note on the Bhagirathi River Valley Development Authority ( BRVDA):
    Investigation for Construction of Tehri Dam was started in 1961 and administrative clearance was given in 1972 by Government of India. However the then Prime Minister of India directed for indepth review in March 1980. Consequently PMO convened a meeting Authority for integrated development of Bhagirathi basin. The draft proposal of Bhagirahti River Valley Management Authority was approved by Government of India vide its letter dated 27 December 1989. Eventually Government of Uttar Pradesh issued notification for setting up of Bhagirathi River Valley Authority on 23-3-1990 under th chairmanship of Chief Secretary of the state. As per the conditions of the Environmental Clearance to Tehri dam project given by Ministry of Environment and Forest on 19-7-1990, it was required of Ministry of power to ensure construction of the Authority on Statutory basis through legislative action before 31-3-1991. In compliance of the directive of the Ministry of Environment  & Forests, GOI, 'Uttar Pradesh River Valley (Development & Management) Act, 1999 was passed River Valley (Development & Management) Act, 1999 was passed by the state Legislative of Uttar Prasdesh.

   Consequent upon creation of a separate state of Uttaranchal, comprising of the hilly regions of Western Uttar Pradesh on 9th November 2000, an advisory committee was constituted by the state Government of Uttaranchal for preparation regarding River Basin Authority. On the recommendations of this committee the State Legislature enacted a law called 'Uttaranchal River Valley (Development & Management) Act, 2005, (Uttaranchal Act No 06 of 2005) notified on 27-1-2005. Under Section 3(3) of this Act, the Bhagirathi River Valley Development Authority was constituted on 4-4-2005 and in its first meeting of the Authority dated 20-5-2005 the Executive Committee of the Authority was constituted under section 3(5) of the Act.

   A Writ Petition No 295 N.D. Juyal & Others Vs Union of India & Others of 1992, had been filled in Hon'ble Supreme Court. In this case the Court has given certain directions in its Judgment dated 1-9-2003, The full judgement is available in this website. In this Judgment the Court has mainly stresses for compliance to issue raised by Ministry of Environment and Forests vide its letter dated 19-7-1990.

   The mandate of the Bhagirathi River Valley Development Authority is, to maintain Ecological Balance, provide Environment Protection, ensure Sustainable Development and establish mechanism for Redressal of Public Grievances by:
(a) ensuring treatment of damages to environment of the basin by soil conservation measures, afforestation by soil blinding fodder and fruits species & maintenance of Water quality.
(b) establishing Botanical Gardens with local Flora & Fauna.
(c) ensuring Optimum Utilization of Natural Resources and setting up and implementation of mechanism for Disaster Management and,
(d) establishing Public Grievance cells in the Basin and Community Facility Centers near rehabilitation locations.

    It will be the endeavor of Bhagirathi River Valley Development Authority, to ensure compliance of the seven conditions of Environment Clearance and the directions of Hon'ble Supreme Court and uphold the spirit of the Uttaranchal River Valley (Development & Management) Act,2005.