Dibang Valley Project in Arunachal

The Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has granted in-principle forest clearance for the Etalin Hydropower Project, one of India’s largest proposed hydropower projects.

This marks a critical milestone in the controversial Dibang Valley project, located in Arunachal Pradesh.

Project Location and Scope

The Dibang Valley project is located in the Eastern Himalaya ecological hotspot, specifically in the remote Dibang Valley of Arunachal Pradesh. The area is ecologically sensitive and inhabited by the indigenous Idu Mishmi community.

The Etalin Hydropower Project (3097 MW capacity) will feature:

• Two run-of-the-river hydro project dams

• One of the Dri River

• Another on the Talo (Tangon) River

Both are tributaries of the Dibang River, which ultimately feeds into the Brahmaputra.

Environmental Concerns: Forest & Wildlife Impact

One of the primary criticisms of the Dibang Valley project is the massive deforestation that it will cause.

Environmental Impact:

• Over 270,000 trees to be cut

• 1,165 hectares of unclassified forest land to be diverted

• Habitat loss for 6 globally threatened mammal species

  • Including tigers, leopards, snow leopards, black bears, musk deer, and Mishmi takin

• Around 56% of India's bird species are found here

• Home to 3 restricted-range endemic bird species

The abundant biodiversity in Dibang Valley renders it an ecological asset, prompting concern among conservationists and activists.

Indigenous Resistance: The Idu Mishmi Protest

The Idu Mishmi community protest has been ongoing for years. As the first people to live in the Dibang Valley, the community has constantly raised concerns about:

• Displacement due to large-scale construction

• Loss of sacred land

• Threats to indigenous rights in Dibang Valley

Despite their opposition, the MoEFCC forest approval went ahead, prompting further environmental activism in Northeast India.

Run-of-the-River Project: What It Means

• The Etalin Hydropower Project is a run-of-the-river hydro project, which means it will use the natural river flow and elevation to generate electricity, without a major reservoir.

• While it’s seen as more environmentally friendly than large dams, the wildlife impact of the Dibang project remains significant due to its scale.

FAC and MoEFCC: Who Approved It?

• The Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) is a statutory body under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980.

• Plans to repurpose forestland for non-forest purposes are considered, such as the Dibang Valley project.

• Its recent FAC project recommendation advised granting clearance, despite environmental objections.

SSC Static GK Recap

Why is This Important for SSC Exams?

The Dibang Valley project is a high-profile topic relevant to:

• Environment & Ecology

• Current Affairs

• Static GK on Geography & Rivers

• Tribal and Constitutional Rights

Expect questions on:

• Location and rivers involved

• Biodiversity impact

• Forest laws and bodies like the MoEFCC and FAC

• Significance of run-of-the-river hydropower

• Tribal opposition and constitutional protection

Final Thoughts

The Dibang Valley project represents the complex intersection of energy development, ecological preservation, and tribal rights.

While hydropower development in Northeast India is a policy priority, projects like Etalin raise serious questions about sustainability and inclusivity.

For SSC aspirants, this topic blends environmental governance, geography, and tribal affairs, making it highly relevant for upcoming exams.