Etalin hydel in Dibang Valley may lead to biodiversity loss

Etalin hydel in Dibang Valley may lead to biodiversity loss

• The 3,097-megawatt hydroelectric project will require diversion of 1,165.66 hectares of forest land and feeling of more than 280,000 trees in the area.
• The Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) had highlighted that the land in which the project is proposed covers two pristine forests with riverine growth that once cut cannot be replaced.
• There is also a threat to 21 mammal species and 230 bird species in the area at an elevation of 600-1,800 metres.
• The actual bird count within a 10- kilometer radius of the Etalin-Damro road is more likely to be closer to 300 species, including some rare ones like Blyth’s Tragopan, Rufous-necked Hornbill, Ward’s Trogon, Hodgson’s Frogmouth, Beautiful Nuthatch, Wedge-billed Babbler, Mishmi-Wren-babbler, among others.
• Also, the presence of tigers in the area cannot be ruled out.
• Along with the 3,097-MW Etalin, there is also the 2,880-MW Dibang multipurpose project and 22-MW Anonpani project in the Dibang Basin.
• Other proposed projects include – the 680 MW Athunli Hydropower Project — located only a few kilometers upstream from these two projects on the same river.

River Dibang consists of three major rivers viz, Dri, Mathun and Talon and three other smaller rivers viz, Ahi, Awa & Emra. Dibang Valley is bounded by Lohit in the south-east, Lower Dibang Valley in the South, East Siang and Upper Siang in the West and by China in the North and North-East.