Published on: January 19, 2023

Etalin hydroelectric project

Etalin hydroelectric project


Why in news? The proposed Etalin hydroelectric project in Arunachal Pradesh has been scrapped in its present form due to threats for local biodiversity


Highlights

  • Recently, Forest Advisory Committee said the proposal cannot be considered in its present form and a revised proposal may be submitted for further consideration.

How the project be a threat to Biodiversity ?

  • The proposal, involved diversion of 1165.66 hectares of forest land and in dense subtropical, evergreen, broad-leafed, and subtropical rainforest
  • The region is a high-mountain watershed prone to natural hazards because of its unique and complex geological, ecosystem, weather and climatic conditions
  • Project is likely to impact the habitat and the survival of several endemic and threatened terrestrial species such as the Snow Leopard, Red Panda, Clouded Leopard, Tiger, Arunachal Macaque, Black-necked crane, and the rare Mishmi Wren Babble

About Etalin Hydroelectric Project

  • The Project was proposed to be a joint venture between Jindal Power Ltd and the Hydropower Development Corporation of Arunachal Pradesh
  • The plan combined two run-of-the-river schemes with concrete gravity dams on rivers Tangon and Dri.

About forest advisory committee

  • It is a statutory body of the Ministry of Environment Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) formed under the Forest Conservation Act of 1980.

About Dibang river

  • Upstream tributary river of the Brahmaputra
  • State : Arunachal Pradesh.
  • Mouth: Lohit River
  • Originates and flows through the Mishmi Hills in the (Upper) Dibang Valley and Lower Dibang Valley districts.
  • Tributaries: Sisar, Mathun, Tangon, Dri, Ithun and Emra