Why govt panel axed Arunachal hydropower project — ‘local uproar, state’s poor green track record’

Indigenous groups & local communities likely to be affected by project in Dibang Valley have long opposed it & even wrote to Forest Advisory Committee for clarity on progress of project.

Representational image of the Dibang Valley | Commons

New Delhi: The Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) has scrapped the proposal to establish a controversial mega hydropower project in Arunachal Pradesh’s Dibang Valley, citing outdated data, opposition from local communities, and the state’s “poor” track record in complying with environmental norms.

Establishment of the 3,097-megawatt Etalin hydroelectric project, proposed as a joint venture by Jindal Power and the Hydropower Development Corporation of Arunachal Pradesh, has been debated by the FAC since 2015. The project was first proposed in 2014.

In a meeting held on 27 December last year, the FAC decided that the proposal “cannot be considered in the present form”, because of several inconsistencies.

Earlier, in 2020, it had been reported that 2.7 lakh trees would need to be felled for the project. However, according to the minutes of the 27 December meeting, a state nodal officer for the project told the FAC that 2.7 lakh is an approximate figure, and “the actual number of trees to be felled will be provided once the project commences”.

In its decision, the FAC said “it is imperative to review the facts and figures presented by the state government especially with regard to the number of trees which are required to be felled”. It has also asked for a more robust multiseason study of the biodiversity and wildlife in the area, as well as a cumulative impact assessment of hydropower projects in the Dibang Valley and a revised cost-benefit analysis of the project.

The project has been controversial because it would lead to the destruction of lush natural forest in a biodiversity hotspot. According to the project proposal, 1165.66 hectares of forest land would need to be diverted. Local communities have consistently protested against the hydropower plant and have even written to the FAC expressing their displeasure.

In the meeting, the FAC directed the state government to form a committee to resolve these disagreements. It also said the Arunachal Pradesh government had a “poor record of compliance” with conditions stipulated by the FAC in earlier projects that were awarded forest clearance. It did not, however, name these projects.

The FAC added that a “revised proposal may be submitted”, by the project proponents at a later stage.

Opposition to the project

Indigenous groups and the local communities likely to be affected by the project in Dibang Valley have consistently opposed the project. Between 6 and 8 December, the FAC received a series of letters from these communities, asking for clarity on the progress of the project.

The Etalin hydropower project along with the already approved Dibang Multipurpose Project — a flood control-cum-hydropower project — “will have severe, irreversible, and potentially catastrophic consequences for the people, rivers, mountains, and animals”, living in the area said one letter, signed by the Idu Mishmi tribe.

In May last year, the FAC constituted two sub-committees. One was led by FAC member Dr. Sanjay Deshmukh, and tasked with examining the representations made against the project. The second, led by the state government, was to monitor compliance with forest clearance conditions awarded to previous hydro projects in the state.

The first sub-committee met some of the project-affected communities in June, and in its report, suggested that “the ambit of economic and social benefits to Project-Affected families”, be extended to communities downstream in Lower Dibang too.

The second sub-committee, under the state government, never submitted its report.

“The sub-committee constituted by FAC earlier in the chairmanship of Dr. Sanjay Deshmukh has looked into the representations received and submitted a report with recommendations. However, there are more representations which were received by this Ministry after the visit of the sub-committee as well,” the FAC noted in its 27 December meeting, adding, “To resolve the issues raised in various representations the State Govt. may constitute a high level empowered committee to look into the various concerns received and come up with resolution.”

The FAC also requested the state government to submit a report with a status update on hydro projects awarded forest clearance and their compliance with the stipulated conditions.

(Edited by Poulomi Banerjee)