The Central Government of India has proposed a comprehensive biodiversity study by an internationally recognized institute into the planned 3,097 MW Etalin Hydroelectric Project in Arunachal Pradesh due to the current environmental impact assessment being deemed “completely inadequate”.
Location of the Etalin Hydroelectric Project
The comprehensive Etalin Hydroelectric Project is situated on the Dibang River and proposed to be completed over the span of seven years. The Dibang River, a tributary of the mighty Brahmaputra River, threads its way through the states of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam.
The project proposes the construction of two significant dams over Dir and Tangon, which are tributaries of the Dibang River. Interestingly, the project falls within what is described as the “richest bio-geographical province of the Himalayan zone”, established at the confluence of the Palaearctic, Indo-Chinese and Indo-Malayan bio-geographic regions.
Significance of the Etalin Hydroelectric Project
The proposed project aligns with the Government’s aim both to establish prior user rights on rivers that stem from China and to accelerate projects in the north-east. If it comes to fruition, this potentially will be one of the largest hydropower projects in India in terms of installed capacity.
Potential Concerns and Impact
However, the project is not without its downsides and potential negative impacts. It is foreseen that 18 villages, comprising approximately 285 families, will be impacted by the proposed project. The construction and subsequent operation of this project will involve the felling of around 280,677 trees, putting numerous globally endangered mammal species at risk.
Explanation of the Biogeographic Zones
Biogeographic zones represent large distinctive ecosystems characterized by similar ecology, biome representation, communities and species. They include the Himalaya and Western Ghats, among others.
The Palaearctic zone encapsulates arctic and temperate Eurasia as well as islands in the Arctic, eastern half of the North Atlantic and Japan Sea. It also encompasses the Macaronesian islands, Mediterranean North Africa and Arabia.
Covering tropical Asia from the Balochistan mountains of Pakistan eastward to the Indian subcontinent south of the Himalayan crest, the Indo-Malayan Zone includes the tropical southern fringe of China with Taiwan, the whole of SouthEast Asia, and the Philippines.
| Biogeographic Zone | Description |
|---|---|
| Palaearctic Zone | Includes arctic and temperate Eurasia, islands surrounding the continent in the Arctic, Japan Sea, the eastern half of the North Atlantic, the Macaronesian islands, Mediterranean North Africa and Arabia. |
| Indo-Malayan Zone | Covers tropical Asia from the Balochistan mountains of Pakistan eastward to the Indian subcontinent south of the Himalayan crest, including the tropical southern fringe of China with Taiwan, all of SouthEast Asia, and the Philippines. |
Current Status of The Etalin Hydroelectric Project
The Central Government’s recommendation for a fresh biodiversity study underlines the significant environmental concerns attached to this project. This step suggests a cautious approach is being taken to balance development needs with ecological considerations.
Last Modified: February 6, 2024