GUWAHATI, March 27 � The People�s Forum for Project Affected Families of Anjaw District, Arunachal Pradesh has urged Union Environment and Forest Minister Jayanti Natarajan not to go for any big hydroelectric projects on the Lohit river until its micro-hydel project potential is exhaustively tapped.
In a memorandum to the Union Minister, the Forum said that the Anjaw district of Arunachal Pradesh is already self-sufficient in electricity and this has become possible due to the hydroelectric projects of capacity less than 1 MW set up in the district.
There is a huge potential of such projects on the tributaries of the Lohit such as Tidding, Dalai, Dav, Halaipani, Chowo, Lati, Kathang, Kulung, Klangdi, Sarti, Warti, Chomu, Dong, Kharwti, Mushai Pani and many more tributaries of the river. But, the potential of these rivers is not yet assessed or realised, it said.
�If we can realise this potential through a participatory process, we believe we will have sufficient power for the whole of the valley and the State and more to export to the North East Region and may be beyond. This must be done first and till that is done no big hydro project should be taken up,� said the Forum.
It has further said that the Government of India and Government of Arunachal Pradesh are considering construction of at least six mega hydropower projects on the main stem of the Lohit river.
Even if one of these projects were to come up in the Lohit Valley, it would create sufficient permanent adverse impacts on society, culture, people, forests, river, biodiversity, their livelihoods, and environment.
