Etalin Hydroelectric Project

Etalin Hydroelectric Project

Why in News?

  • The Etalin hydroelectric project in Arunachal Pradesh has recently been scrapped in its present form.

Highlights

  • The plan combined two run-of-the-river schemes with limited storage requiring concrete gravity dams on rivers Tangon and Dri.
  • It ran Into several controversies since its inception in 2008 over concerns of ecological damage, forest invasion and tribal displacement.
  • The Dir and Tangon river, both tributaries of the Dibang River (tributary of Brahmaputra) in Arunachal Pradesh, India, have the following significance:
  • Both rivers contribute to the overall hydrology of the region by providing water for irrigation and hydropower generation.
  • The Dir and Tangon rivers support a diverse array of plant and animal life, including rare and endangered species.
  •  The scenic beauty of the Dir and Tangon rivers, along with the Dibang, is a major tourist destination.
  • The local population of the region should be consulted and should have participation in the decision making to ensure that the final decision making should reflect their concerns.
  • The areas which are at risk of loss of biodiversity should be properly delineated to ensure that they remain undisturbed.
  • A proper and complete assessment of the impact of the project on the local environment should be studied comprehensively.
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