¨
Union Environment Ministry’s expert panel has recommended environmental
clearance for the Kalai-II hydropower project in Arunachal Pradesh.
¨ The decision has sparked concern among
conservationists, who argue that the project’s environmental impact assessment
ignored the presence of the critically endangered white-bellied heron in the
Lohit River basin.
¨
The Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) cleared the 1,200-MW Kalai-II
project on the Lohit River. Environmentalists flagged that the EIA report did
not mention the critically endangered white-bellied heron found in the project
area.
Kalai-II
Hydropower Project
¨
The Kalai-II project is a 1,200-MW hydroelectric scheme planned on the
Lohit River in Anjaw district of Arunachal Pradesh.
¨
Developed by THDC India Ltd, it involves a 128.5-metre concrete gravity
dam, pondage and an underground powerhouse, with an estimated cost of ₹14,176
crore.
Concerns
Over the EIA
¨
The (Environmental Impact Assessment) EIA report, prepared by WAPCOS
Ltd, recorded 28 bird species but made no mention of the white bellied heron.
¨
Environmentalists highlighted that the project area lies within the
bird’s known range, including stretches near Namdapha Tiger Reserve and Kamlang
Tiger Reserve.
