Guwahati: Consider the rich biodiversity in the Dibang Valley of Arunachal Pradesh, where the massive 3,097 MW Etalin hydel project is being developed.
Approximately 6 Globally Threatened mammal species are found in this region, of which 3 are endangered and 3 are classified as vulnerable. About 680 bird species have been recorded from this region, which is about 56% of the total bird species of India. Among them, 19 are Globally Threatened and 10 are Near Threatened. It has 4 Critically Endangered, 2 Endangered and 13 Vulnerable species. This makes this area a very important place in terms of the conservation of globally threatened bird species.
All this is stated in the Forest Advisory Committee report. And all this will now vanish as the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has granted in-principle approval for the long-delayed Etalin Hydroelectric Project in Arunachal Pradesh. The clearance was accorded during the 4th Advisory Committee meeting held on May 26, 2025.
The proposal involves diversion of 1175.03 ha of unclassed forest land in Anini Forest Division, and the project requires felling of 278,945 trees, with a reported canopy density of 0.5. The project will be executed by Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam Ltd. (SJVN). The Etalin Hydro Electric Project is being set up on the Dri River and the Talo (Tangon) River within the jurisdiction of Anini Forest Division in Dibang Valley in Arunachal Pradesh.
The FAC had earlier rejected the proposal and directed the state to conduct fresh biodiversity and cumulative impact assessments for the Dibang river basin. This time, however, the FAC granted approval based on existing studies, overlooking its recommendations made in December 2022.
Important wildlife reported in the area include Himalayan Serow, Asiatic Golden Cat, Leopard Cat, Indian Wild Dog, Assam Macaque, Himalayan Black Bear, Barking Deer, Wild Boar, Hoary Bellied Squirrel, Bengal Monitor Lizard, Burmese Python, King cobra are some of the important species present in and around the area. About 6 Globally Threatened Mammal species are found in this region, of which 3 are endangered and 3 are under the vulnerable category.
The area falls into the High Conservation Value Zone. Out of the total forest area proposed for diversion, 212 hectares of land is classified as very dense forest, 310 hectares as moderately dense forest, 506 hectares as open forest, 84 hectares as water and 60 hectares as without forest cover.
“The Ministry of Power(MOP) in their comments dated 22.11.2021 has furnished its considered opinion in the matter, inter alia informing that HEPs, already in the advanced stage and having clearance in place, be allowed to be taken up for implementation. Regarding cumulative impact, it was informed that Cumulative Impact Assessment and Carrying Capacity studies have already been completed in the past, and all HEPS are being planned taking into account the recommendations in this regard. MoP further informed that Etalin is critical to all hydro power generation capacity for meeting the aspirations and basic requirements of the citizens, for which the project may be feasibly considered,” the minutes of the meeting reveal.
The Wildlife Division, in its comments dated 2.04.2022 and NTCA’s comments dated 1.04.2022, mentioned that the proposed project falls outside the ESZ of the Dibang Valley Sanctuary. The PCCF& HoFF Arunachal Pradesh informed the Committee that the submergence area of the proposed HEPs is 119.44 hectares, comprising 36.12 hectares of Tangon submergence and 83.32 hectares of Dri Submergence Area is 83.32 hectare, which is relatively small compared to other conventional hydroelectric projects.
The Committee, after taking cognisance of past development in the matter and deliberations held with the DIGF (Central), RO, Shillong, PCCF (HoFF) and Nodal Officer, Government of Arunachal Pradesh observed that various aspects of the proposals viz. ecological, social and economic, including the issues related to wildlife and cumulative impact of the project, etc., have been examined by the Advisory Committee in its earlier meetings and the PCCF& HoFF and Nodal Officer of the States have also made submissions in respect of various concerns raised by the Ministry, which are found satisfactory.
After detailed deliberations, the Committee recommended the proposal for grant of in-principle approval subject to the fulfilment of general, standard and specific conditions. There are 14 conditions in all.
The Committee said the user agency, after commissioning of the project, shall hand over an area of 424.83 hectares of forest land proposed to be used temporarily during the construction phase of the project, duly reclaimed physically and biologically, to the State Forest Department. The project mitigation and wildlife Management Plan, based on the Recommendation of the WII should be suitably executed by the State Forest Department.
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