The study, carried out by the North-Eastern Hill University, in one of its major recommendations has said that the HEPs located 3,200 metres above sea level should be rejected.
A voluminous study submitted to the environment ministry on the cumulative impact of 13 proposed hydroelectric (HEPs) projects on the Tawang River Basin (TRB), Arunachal Pradesh, has said that the projects will affect unique biodiversity, undisturbed forests and cultural diversity of TRB and will have detrimental impact on habitats of endangered flora and fauna. The study, carried out by the North-Eastern Hill University, in one of its major recommendations has said that the HEPs located 3,200 metres above sea level should be rejected.
The 13 HEPs on Tawang river's main stem and tribuataries -- Tsa Chu-I, Tsa Chu-I lower, Tsa Chu-II, Thingbu chu, New Melling, Mago Chu, Nykcharong chu, Rho, Tawang-I, Tawang-II, Nyamjung Chhu, Paikangrong Chu, and Jaswantgarh stage -- I will cut into 249 hectares of forest and have a total installed capacity of 2,809.10MW. Being run-of-river projects, they don't large reservoirs that lead to displacement. Two of these HEP's, Tsa Chu-I and Jaswantgarh stage-I, are located 3,200m above sea level.
The TRB is located within the Himalayan Biodiversity Hotspot, which is also listed among the 200 Globally Important Eco–regions. It entirely falls in highly active seismic Zone V with a proximity to glacial lakes and it represents a typical Eastern-Himalayan landscape which is prone to soil erosion and landslides.
The detailed study has asked each project proponent to chalk out a comprehensive mitigation plan specific to the impact it has on surrounding flora and fauna. In its key recommendations, the report has said that 40 per cent of the main length of Tawang and its tributaries should be free flowing, which means it should be of free of any projects. It has said that 66 per cent of the total geographical area of the river basin should be under forest cover.
Tawang is home to the Monpa community and also the famous Tawang monastery. A major part of the community has protested against projects planned in the TRB. Keeping this in mind, the report has recommended that the total population of Tawang at any given point of time should not exceed 57,474 persons, which is 15% more than the present population of 49,977. This, the report says is to protect the culture of ethnic community and to maintain a demographic balance.
The TRB is located within the Himalayan Biodiversity Hotspot, which is also listed among the 200 Globally Important Eco–regions and is thus home to endangered and threatened species of both flora and fauna. Scientists have recorded 171 resident bird species and 71 migratory species in the river basin. The threatened species of black neck crane, which makes the river basin its winter home, is considered sacred and as a reincarnation of the 6th Dalai Lama of the Monpas.
But, the 760MW Nyamjang Chu project's barrage is proposed to be constructed near the same spot where the black neck cranes are sighted. Besides the crane, the river basin is home to the vulnerable species of red panda and the endangered Arunachal Macaque monkey.
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