SYLLABUS

GS-3: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment and Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways, etc.

Context: Recently, a Union Environment Ministry expert committee has recommended environmental clearance for the 1,200-MW Kalai-II hydropower project on the Lohit River in Anjaw district of Arunachal Pradesh.

More on the News

• Environmentalists have objected to the clearance, citing the omission of the critically endangered white-bellied heron from the project’s Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report.
• In 2020, the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) had itself required a detailed conservation plan for the heron while granting clearance to the 1,750-MW Lower Demwe project on the same Lohit River.
• The EIA for the Kalai-II project was prepared by WAPCOS Ltd, an accredited government EIA consultant.

About the Kalai-II Hydropower Project

• Project Location: The project will be built by THDC India Ltd. in Hawai village, Anjaw district, on the Lohit River.
• Design Components: The project involves constructing a 128.5-meter concrete gravity dam with pondage-based storage and an underground powerhouse.

About the White-Bellied Heron (Ardea insignis)

• Also known as the imperial heron or great white-bellied heron.
• It is the second-largest living species of heron.
• Habitat: Researchers observed that the white-bellied heron prefers free-flowing riverine habitats with minimal human disturbance.
  • The species mainly feeds on fish found in river rapids.
• Population Distribution: It is found mainly on the southern side of the eastern Himalayas in the landscape of central Bhutan, India, and Myanmar.
  • In India, the white-bellied heron occurs in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.
  • In Arunachal Pradesh, their population is found in Lohit, Anjaw, and Changlang districts, including in Kamlang and Namdapha tiger reserves. 
• Nesting Sites: According to Journal of South Asian Ornithology, Walong is the only nesting site in India other than Namdapha Tiger Reserve.
• Threat: There is a sharp decline in population of the species due to habitat destruction, hunting, human interference, and risks like dams and power line collisions.
• Conservation Status:
  • Schedule-I species under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972
  • IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered

About the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

• An EIA is a scientific process to assess the likely environmental impacts of proposed projects such as Mining, Dams, irrigation projects, industrial units, and waste treatment facilities.
• The EIA framework also mandates public consultation, including public hearings, enabling local communities and stakeholders to examine and raise objections to the draft EIA report prepared by experts.
• Under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, India introduced the EIA Notification, 1994, later replaced by the EIA Notification, 2006, which classifies projects into Category A (central clearance) and Category B (state clearance, subdivided into B1 and B2).
• Steps Involved in the EIA Process:
  • Stage (1) – Screening: Applicable only to Category ‘B’ projects, this stage determines whether an EIA is required and accordingly classifies projects into B1 (EIA required) or B2 (EIA not required).
  • Stage (2) – Scoping: Identifies key environmental issues and impacts to be studied and finalises the Terms of Reference (ToR) for preparation of the EIA report.
  • Stage (3) – Public Consultation: Seeks to ascertain and incorporate concerns of affected local communities and other stakeholders through public hearings and written responses.
  • Stage (4) – Appraisal: Involves detailed scrutiny by the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC/SEAC)of the Final EIA report, public consultation outcomes, and related documents to recommend grant or rejection of environmental clearance.