A. Issue in Brief
- The 1,750 MW Demwe Lower Hydroelectric Project in Arunachal Pradesh received an 11-year extension of Environmental Clearance (EC) after prolonged litigation before NGT and courts.
- The project, involving a 162.12 m concrete gravity dam on the Lohit River (tributary of Brahmaputra), had earlier faced judicial setbacks over forest and wildlife concerns.
- Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) granted extension, applying a “zero period” principle to exclude litigation time from EC validity computation.
- Raises questions about balance between hydropower expansion, biodiversity conservation and procedural environmental safeguards.
Relevance
- GS 1 (Geography):
Eastern Himalayas biodiversity hotspot; Brahmaputra basin ecology; seismic vulnerability. - GS 3 (Environment / Energy / Security):
Hydropower (~46 GW installed); 500 GW non-fossil target; forest diversion (1,416 ha); strategic border infrastructure; climate resilience concerns.
B. Static Background
- Environmental clearance granted originally in February 2010, valid till 2020; later extended via a 2022 notification permitting extensions up to 13 years.
- Project entails diversion of 1,416 hectares forest land and submergence of approximately 1,589.97 hectares.
- Located near Kamlang Tiger Reserve and habitat of White-bellied Heron (critically endangered; global population <250).
- India aims for 500 GW non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030, with hydropower contributing ~46 GW installed capacity (2024).
C. Key Dimensions
1. Constitutional / Legal Dimension
- Governed by Environment Protection Act, 1986, Forest Conservation Act, 1980, and EIA Notification, 2006.
- “Zero period” excludes litigation time from EC validity; intended to prevent developer prejudice due to judicial delays.
- NGT earlier struck down project clearances citing procedural lapses and wildlife impact concerns.
- Raises issue of inter-generational equity and precautionary principle under Article 21 environmental jurisprudence.
2. Environmental Dimension
- Submergence threatens biodiversity-rich Eastern Himalayas, recognised as global biodiversity hotspot.
- Impacts riverine ecology of Lohit basin, sediment transport and downstream Brahmaputra hydrology.
- Proximity to Kamlang Tiger Reserve risks fragmentation of critical wildlife corridors.
- Large reservoirs alter microclimate, fisheries and seismic vulnerability in tectonically active region.
3. Economic / Energy Dimension
- 1,750 MW capacity significant for Northeast grid integration and national renewable targets.
- Hydropower classified as renewable and supports grid stability via peaking power supply.
- Arunachal Pradesh has estimated 50,000 MW+ hydropower potential, underutilised due to ecological and geopolitical sensitivities.
- Project delays inflate cost, reduce financial viability and deter private investment in hydropower sector.
4. Governance / Administrative Dimension
- Repeated litigation reflects gaps in baseline biodiversity assessment and cumulative impact studies.
- Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) had recommended updated conservation plans, but biodiversity concerns reportedly under-discussed in 2026 review.
- Extension mechanism risks perception of regulatory dilution if periodic environmental reappraisal is not rigorous.
- Coordination challenges between Centre, State and statutory bodies (MoEFCC, NGT, NBWL).
5. Strategic / Security Dimension
- Hydropower projects in Arunachal have strategic value due to proximity to China border and upstream Tibetan river developments.
- Strengthens India’s hydro-infrastructure presence in Brahmaputra basin amid transboundary river concerns.
- However, environmental degradation may exacerbate local socio-political grievances in sensitive border state.
D. Critical Analysis
- Extension based on litigation delay (“zero period”) may be procedurally justified but risks bypassing updated environmental realities over 15+ years.
- Climate change alters hydrological patterns; old impact assessments may not reflect new rainfall variability or glacial melt data.
- Conservation concerns around White-bellied Heron and tiger habitats highlight inadequacy of species-specific mitigation planning.
- Yet, hydropower essential for India’s decarbonisation pathway and Northeast economic integration.
E. Way Forward
- Mandate fresh cumulative impact assessment incorporating climate resilience and seismic risk modelling before operationalisation.
- Implement biodiversity offsets and habitat corridors with independent ecological monitoring authority.
- Integrate local community consultation under Forest Rights Act, 2006 to ensure participatory environmental governance.
- Develop basin-level hydropower planning rather than project-by-project approvals to avoid ecological fragmentation.
- Balance strategic infrastructure needs with precautionary environmental safeguards.
F. Exam Orientation
Prelims Pointers
- Demwe Lower Project capacity: 1,750 MW.
- Dam height: 162.12 metres.
- Forest diversion: 1,416 hectares; submergence: 1,589.97 hectares.
- Kamlang Tiger Reserve located in Arunachal Pradesh.
- India hydropower installed capacity ≈ 46 GW.
Practice Question (15 Marks)
- “Hydropower expansion in ecologically fragile regions poses a dilemma between energy security and environmental sustainability.”
Discuss with reference to the Demwe Lower Project in Arunachal Pradesh.
