Hydroelectric plans in Arunachal will effect downstream Assam too

Hydroelectric plans in Arunachal will effect downstream Assam too

Subject :Geography

 Section : Indian Physical Geography

Context: Arunachal Pradesh is highly susceptible to landslides; debris flowing downstream will change river behaviour, fear experts.

More on the News:

• A recent push by Arunachal Pradesh to realise its massive hydroelectric potential has faced criticism from activists, scientists and communities in the state as well as in the downstream Assam.
• Arunachal Pradesh is often dubbed as the powerhouse of the country and is home to 34 per cent (50,328 megawatts) of the country’s 148,701 MW hydropower potential, according to estimates of the Hydro Power Policy, 2008.
• About 150 hydropower projects have been proposed in the Himalayas across the state and have faced massive protests.
• However, analysts fear that the projects may heavily affect the downstream areas in Assam. There will be a massive change in the state’s economic and socio-cultural life, along with the river ecosystem.
• The rivers will carry huge amounts of debris and sediments downstream due to deforestation and earth cutting for the projects upstream, which will change the behaviour of the rivers.
• Massive landslides have already been experienced in the project site Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project at Gerukamukh. These incidents indicate that the Eastern Himalayan part is more susceptible to landslides and the slightest tampering may cause huge devastation.

Hydro-electric Project in Northeast India:

About Hydro-electric Project https://optimizeias.com/on-joshimath-hydropower-projects-in-the-himalaya-should-be-reconsidered-given-recent-crisis/