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Arunachal Hydro Project Gets 11-Year Green Nod Extension
18 Feb
Summary
- Environmental clearance extended by 11 years to 2037 due to litigation.
- Project clearance decision overlooked critical NGT ruling that set aside wildlife clearance.
- No fresh environmental studies required despite project's sensitive location.
Sixteen years after its initial clearance, the Demwe Lower Project's environmental nod has been extended by 11 years, now valid until 2037. This decision by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change's expert panel cites over a decade of project delays caused by litigation.
The expert appraisal committee relied on recent notifications that treat time lost to litigation as 'zero period.' The project developers argued for significant time lost in the National Company Law Tribunal and National Green Tribunal. However, the panel's decision may overlook the fact that the NGT had previously set aside the project's wildlife clearance, which was foundational for its forest clearance.
This crucial ruling by the NGT questioned the then environment minister's decision, as experts had opposed the project due to potential impacts on a national park. The EAC's decision also allows the project to proceed without fresh baseline environmental studies, despite its location in a sensitive riverine ecosystem near Parshuram Kund.
Previously, projects not started within the EC's validity faced fresh appraisal. The 'zero period' rule aims to mitigate delays for reasons beyond the proponent's control. The project's EC, first granted in 2010, has seen its validity extended through various notifications and Covid-related relaxations, currently valid until February 2026.
