Context:
• The Environment Ministry’s Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) has recommended environmental clearance for the 1,720 MW Kamla Hydroelectric Project in Arunachal Pradesh, despite environmental concerns over large-scale forest diversion.
Key Highlights:
Project Details
• Proposed capacity: 1,720 MW.
• Estimated cost: ₹23,764.01 crore.
• The project will utilize water from the Kamla River, a tributary of the Subansiri River.
Forest Diversion and Tree Felling
• Around 23.4 lakh trees are expected to be felled.
• Approximately 3,278 hectares of forest land will be diverted.
Impact on Local Communities
• The project will affect about 5,440 families across 126 villages.
• Impacted districts include:
- Kamle
- Kra Daadi
- Kurung Kumey.
Forest Classification of Project Area
• Of the diverted land:
- 439 hectares are very dense forest.
- 1,119 hectares are moderately dense forest.
Compensatory Afforestation
• Since degraded land is unavailable in Arunachal Pradesh, compensatory afforestation will occur in Madhya Pradesh.
Regulatory Process
• The Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) will assess forest diversion.
• NHPC must obtain in-principle forest clearance before final environmental approval.
Ecological Concerns
• Field surveys recorded 155 plant species from 69 families in the project area.
• The EAC has directed preparation of a detailed ecosystem restoration plan.
Relevant Prelims Points:
- Kamla River
- Tributary of the Subansiri River, which itself is a major tributary of the Brahmaputra.
- Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
- A mandatory process to evaluate environmental consequences of major projects.
- Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC)
- A committee under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) that evaluates projects requiring environmental clearance.
- Forest Advisory Committee (FAC)
- Advises the government on diversion of forest land for non-forest purposes under the Forest Conservation Act.
- Compensatory Afforestation
- Planting trees elsewhere to offset forest loss caused by development projects.
- Subansiri River
- One of the largest tributaries of the Brahmaputra, originating in Tibet and flowing through Arunachal Pradesh and Assam.
Relevant Mains Points:
- Energy Security vs Environmental Protection
- Hydropower supports renewable energy goals and energy security.
- However, large dams often cause forest loss, biodiversity damage, and displacement.
- Hydropower Potential in Northeast India
- The region has significant untapped hydropower potential due to Himalayan rivers.
- Environmental Concerns in Fragile Ecosystems
- Arunachal Pradesh contains biodiversity-rich forests and sensitive ecosystems.
- Large projects risk deforestation and ecological disruption.
- Social Impact of Large Infrastructure Projects
- Displacement and livelihood disruption of local communities and indigenous groups require careful rehabilitation.
- Way Forward
- Conduct transparent environmental assessments and public consultations.
- Ensure comprehensive rehabilitation and compensation for affected communities.
- Integrate biodiversity conservation measures into hydropower development.
UPSC Relevance:
• GS Paper 3 – Environment, Biodiversity Conservation, Energy Security.
• GS Paper 1 – Geography of Northeast India and river systems.