The Environment Ministry’s Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) has held back clearance for the Etalin hydroelectric project (HEP), in Dibang valley of Arunachal Pradesh.
The committee found major inadequacies in the environmental impact assessment (EIA) report for the 3,097 MW hydroelectric project.
The project, worth Rs 25,296 crore, will require diversion of 1,165 ha of luxuriant forest.
The committee has asked for multi-seasonal replicate studies on biodiversity assessment by an internationally credible institute. It has also asked the state government to see if the area required for the construction and dumping of muck could be reduced.
The project involves construction of two dams: a 101.5 mtr high on Dir river and an 80 mtr high dam on Tangon river. The project will require felling of 2.8 lakh trees.