India’s Environment Appraisal Committee (EAC) recommends environmental clearance for the 1,200-MW Kalai-II hydropower project in Arunachal Pradesh, igniting fierce backlash from conservationists.
Critics highlight a glaring omission in the EIA report: no mention of the critically endangered white-bellied heron, whose fragile habitat lines the Lohit River basin. Consequently, this oversight raises alarms about irreversible biodiversity loss in a region already strained by hydropower ambitions.
The EAC on river valley and hydroelectric projects greenlit the Kalai-II proposal during its December 19 meeting, based on an EIA by government firm WAPCOS Ltd. Activists Soblam Malo from Anjaw’s Chengung village and Assam’s Bimal Gogoi urged the panel a day prior to assess impacts on the heron, citing recent sightings in contiguous habitats like Kamlang Tiger Reserve. Surprisingly, the EIA lists the reserve merely as a “sanctuary” and records just 28 avian species, entirely skipping this Schedule-I protected bird under the Wildlife Protection Act.
Moreover, independent researchers and Arunachal Forest Department records confirm heron presence upstream and downstream of the site. This echoes the EAC’s own 2020 demand for a heron conservation plan during clearance for the nearby 1,750-MW Lower Demwe project on the same river.
Why the White-Bellied Heron Demands Urgent Protection
Conservationists champion the white-bellied heron (Ardea insignis) as a flagship species for Northeast India’s rich biodiversity. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classifies it as critically endangered, with fewer than 250 individuals worldwide and possibly only 60 remaining. In India, prime nesting grounds thrive along the Lohit River near Walong and Namdapha National Park, where the bird fishes in shallow, undisturbed waters.
Hydropower dams disrupt these ecosystems by altering river flows, fragmenting habitats, and increasing human disturbance. Thus, experts warn that Kalai-II could push this rare piscivore toward extinction, mirroring threats to other species like the hoolock gibbon in the Eastern Himalayas.
Conservationists’ Call to Action and Legal Safeguards
Local voices like Gogoi slam the EIA for “failing to mention” the heron despite its vulnerability, demanding a fresh ecological study. Under India’s Wildlife Protection Act, Schedule-I status mandates rigorous assessments for any impacting projects, prioritizing habitat conservation over development. Previously, EAC interventions ensured tailored plans, setting a precedent for Kalai-II.
Transitioning to solutions, stakeholders push for cumulative impact studies on Lohit basin projects. Enhanced monitoring via camera traps and community patrols could safeguard nesting sites, blending energy needs with ecological integrity.
Questions to Explore
How do hydropower projects directly threaten heron habitats?
Why did the EIA overlook a Schedule-I species?
Can Arunachal balance hydropower growth with biodiversity?
Q&A: Unpacking the Kalai-II Controversy
Q: What is the status of the white-bellied heron?
A: Critically endangered per IUCN, with under 250 birds globally; India hosts key sites along Lohit River.
Q: What flaws plague the Kalai-II EIA?
A: It omits the heron entirely, mislabels Kamlang Tiger Reserve, and lists only 28 bird species despite richer diversity.
Q: What past EAC action addressed this?
A: In 2020, EAC required a heron conservation plan for the Lower Demwe project on Lohit River.
Q: Who raised alarms before the meeting?
A: Anjaw villager Soblam Malo and activist Bimal Gogoi highlighted habitat risks tied to recent heron records.
Q: What legal protection covers the heron?
A: Schedule-I under Wildlife Protection Act, demanding highest safeguards against habitat disruption.
FAQ: White-Bellied Heron and Hydropower Risks
Why is the Lohit River vital for the heron?
It offers pristine shallow waters ideal for foraging; disturbances here ripple across surviving populations.
How many herons remain in India?
Possibly around 60, concentrated in Arunachal’s eastern rivers, making local threats globally significant.
What alternatives exist to dams?
Run-of-river tech minimizes reservoirs, plus solar/wind hybrids reduce river dependency.
Does EIA accreditation guarantee accuracy?
WAPCOS is accredited, yet oversights occur; public scrutiny and expert reviews strengthen reports.
What’s next for Kalai-II clearance?
Final approval awaits Ministry review; activists gear up for appeals citing biodiversity mandates.
Arunachal’s hydropower push tests India’s green growth resolve, urging authorities to prioritize vanishing species like the white-bellied heron for sustainable progress.
