The present paper is an attempt of the researcher to make a comparative analysis between the expected benefits received by the executing agency under CDM and the actual benefits people are expected to receive from Chanju-I Hydro Electric Project. Based on primary data based research project concentrating on 8 administrative wards, 50 villages and 200 respondents, by using interview schedule and psycho-metric scale and using exploratory and observation research methods collecting from two sub-basins, will highlight the perception of the poor people and analyze viability issue in CDM led projects in Himalayan region.
The results revealed that at the initial stage of project, people were happy because of their illiteracy and not knowing the facts, but when respondents have been told about the factual situation they are expected to face, and then their response was altogether different. Because in the stretch of 25 km there are 7 power projects expected to produce some 56 MW power, putting lives, livelihood and age-old profession of water milling, and putting environment of this virgin area at stake, are some areas of the concerns of present paper.