Kamala Hydropower Project: Forest Diversion and 23 Lakh Trees
Context
NHPC has sought forest clearance for the proposed Kamala Hydropower Project in Arunachal Pradesh, which involves substantial diversion of forest land and tree felling. The proposal highlights the conflict between expanding low carbon electricity generation, conserving biodiversity, protecting local communities and maintaining ecological balance.
Key Highlights
- The proposed 1,720 MW hydropower project is located on the Kamala River, a right-bank tributary of the Subansiri River.
- NHPC sought approval for the diversion of approximately 3,278 hectares of high conservation value forest land and the removal of around 23.4 lakh trees.
- Compensatory afforestation has been proposed across approximately 7,018 hectares in Madhya Pradesh.
- Inspection findings raised concerns regarding habitat degradation, disruption of wildlife movement and the need for appropriate mitigation measures.
Key Concepts
- Kamala Subansiri River System: The Kamala River is a right bank tributary of the Subansiri, which is itself a major tributary of the Brahmaputra in Northeast India.
- Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, as amended: Regulates the diversion of forest land for non forest purposes by requiring prescribed central government approval. Subsequent amendments and rules govern the applicable procedures.
- Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006: Recognises three broad categories of forest rights:
- Individual Forest Rights (IFRs): Rights over individual forest land for habitation and cultivation.
- Community Rights (CRs): Collective rights over access to and use of forest resources for livelihood requirements, including grazing, collection of minor forest produce and water resources.
- Community Forest Resource Rights (CFRRs): Rights of communities to conserve, manage and govern community forest resources through the Gram Sabha.
- Forest Advisory Committee (FAC): An expert body that advises the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change on proposals seeking approval for forest land diversion.
- Hydropower Trade off: Although hydropower generally has low operational carbon emissions, its development may also involve forest loss, displacement, changes in river flow, sedimentation impacts and dam safety risks.
Way Forward
- Evaluate alternative project locations, cumulative impacts across the river basin and realistic benefits to the overall energy system before granting approvals.
- Conduct independent biodiversity assessments, identify wildlife corridors and ensure that mitigation measures are measurable and verifiable.
- Ensure compliance with applicable forest rights recognition procedures, community consultations and rehabilitation obligations.
- Monitor compensatory afforestation by assessing tree survival rates and actual ecosystem restoration outcomes rather than focusing only on the area planted.