Amid controversy surrounding shifting of Dahri Devi temple for the construction of a dam on the Alaknanda river, former chief minister B C Khanduri has advocated the need to have small hydroelectric power plants, in fulfilling the power demands of Uttarakhand.

"Small projects of 20 kilowatt capacity should be encouraged in Uttarakhand as they provide employment to the local people and are environment friendly," he said while emphasising the importance of small hydroelectric power plants.

Khnaduri preferred constructing small dams over big dams. "Big dams should be constructed only when it is very necessary," Khanduri told reporters in Kotdwar yesterday.

Locals have been protesting the government's decision to shift the temple for construction of the dam.

Former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Uma Bharti had gone on a fast for nine days protesting the government's move which she broke on May 18 after the Uttarakhand chief minister assured her the Alaknanda hydro-power project would be completed without shifting the famous Dhari Devi temple.