Etalin hydel project

In a move supporting the Centre’s initiative to expedite hydropower projects in the North-East, the Union Environment Ministry’s Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) has granted in-principle forest clearance to the 3,097-MW Etalin hydel project.

This project, slated for Arunachal Pradesh’s Dibang Valley, involves the diversion of 1,175 hectares of forest land and the felling of approximately 2.78 lakh trees, and has been a focal point of protests for an extended period.

Project Significance and Location

• The Etalin project is recognized as one of India’s largest proposed hydropower projects in terms of generation capacity.
• It is designed as a run-of-the-river type, meaning it does not involve water storage. The project is proposed to be constructed on the Dri River and Talo River (the local name for Dibang) within the state’s highly biodiverse Dibang Valley.

Controversial Approval Process

• The approval is particularly contentious given that the same FAC had previously raised significant concerns regarding biodiversity and wildlife in 2022.
• At that time, the committee rejected the proposal and instructed the state to conduct fresh biodiversity and cumulative impact assessments for the Dibang river basin.
• However, in this instance, the FAC proceeded to grant approval based on existing studies, effectively overlooking its own recommendations from December 2022.

Community Resistance and Biodiversity Concerns

• The over 1,000 hectares of forest area required for the project is predominantly community forest land. This has led to continued resistance from the Idu Mishmi community, who inhabit the area.
• The region is renowned for its rich biodiversity, serving as a habitat for various species including tigers, leopards, snow leopards, black bears, alpine musk deer, Mishmi takin, and approximately 680 bird species.

(Source: IE)