Shimla, Aug. 28 -- If the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) does not return Himachal's surplus land in its possession, the state government will enact legislation to vest this land in the state, chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said on Thursday. He was responding during a discussion on a resolution moved by BJP MLA Janak Raj on the 6th day of the ongoing monsoon session. Water is a state asset which is akin to gold for Himachal Pradesh, and the government would protect it at all costs, he said.

The resolution called for effective, priority-based measures to address social and environmental issues associated with hydroelectric projects-both under construction and operational-in the state.

Following the discussion, the government d...