GUWAHATI, Nov 22 - The Union Environment and Forest Ministry has approved the 2,000 MW Lower Subansiri Hydroelectric Power project under Section 2 of the Forest (Conservation) Act. The project is being implemented by the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) Limited in Arunachal Pradesh and Assam.
The Arunachal Pradesh Forest Department and the Assam Forest Department had earlier sought prior approval of the Central Government under Section-2 of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 for diversion of 3999.30 hectares of forest land (3183.00 hectares in Arunachal Pradesh and 816.30 hectares in Assam) for construction of the project.
The governments of both the states complied with the desired conditions stipulated under the in-principle approval. The user agency NHPC has also deposited Rs 300 crore in the Registry of the Supreme Court of India towards net present value of the diverted forestland in pursuance of the order of the Apex Court dated September 17,2004 in IA No 1205/2004 in writ petition ( C ) No 202/1995, said a communication of the Union Environment and Forest Ministry to the forest departments of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam.
However, the approval is subject to the outcome of the I A No 1164/2004 in writ petition ( C ) No 202/1995 pending in the apex court, said the Ministry's communication.
However, the Environment and Forest Ministry has slapped 14 conditions on the user agency and the governments of the two states. The conditions include-legal status of the forest land shall remain unchanged; compensatory afforestation should be raised and maintained over non-forestland identified and handed over to the state forest departments for this purpose at the project cost.
It also said that felling of trees should be confined to only such areas where it will obstruct project construction and it should be done under strict supervision of the state forest department.
The conditions also stated that the site for construction of colonies should be selected at such places where minimum felling of trees is involved, water should be made available free of cost for forestry and allied activities in the vicinity of the project; green belt, preferably of native species, of adequate width should be raised around the reservoir at the project cost.
Besides, it said, reclamation of the quarry should be carried out as per the reclamation plan at the project cost under supervision of the state forest departments. Reclamation of the quarries shall be completed as early as possible and in no case later than the closure of the project, the relevant condition said.
One of the conditions is that all efforts should be made for protection of the environment at the project cost. The Environment and Forest Ministry has also forbidden setting up of any labour camp or habitation in the forest area and asked the user agency to avoid any damage to the wildlife found in the area and also to minimise biotic pressure over the adjoining forests. Forest land should not be used for any purpose other than that specified under the proposal, the Ministry said in its communication.
It has also kept open the option for the State Governments or the Chief Conservator of Forests (Central), Regional Office, Shillong imposing any other condition from time to time on the user agency.