The environment ministry memorandum, which has Natarajan's approval, states that "potential clean energy of the project vis-a-vis relatively fewer environmental and societal impacts" makes it clear that the project "can be supported along with adequate arrangements of monitoring the ecological dynamics in the region with appropriate interventions as and when required."
The memorandum states that the clearance for the project has been given in keeping with the relevant orders of the Supreme Court. Several additional measures have been suggested beyond those stipulated in the environmental clearance, recommendations of the State Board for Wildlife and directions of the National Environmental Appellate Authority.
These include a comprehensive study on the ecological impacts of the environmental changes and the mitigation measures associated with the project. On last count, agreements had been signed for 11 projects, of which seven were on the main river. Notably, this cumulative study will be the basis of consideration for future projects on the Lohit river.
The state government will commission IIT Roorkee to conduct this study, which will not precede the construction of the Demwe Lower project, but "will continue concurrently, and mitigation measures proposed in the study will also be complied with concurrently." Read the full report here.
Source: ET Bureau, Economic Times, New Delhi.
