NEW DELHI, Aug 9 � In a significant pronouncement, Environment and Forest Minister Jairam Ramesh today assured that his Ministry would not allow any project that is likely to have an adverse ecological impact. The ecological impact of Lower Subansiri Hydro-electric Project and other projects would be taken into account before taking any next step.
�There is no question of allowing any project that has demonstrable and tangible adverse environmental impact,� said the Minister in reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha by Biren Baishya.
The Minister conveyed the same to a delegation of All Assam Students� Union (AASU) and All Mising Students� Union (AMSU), when they called on him to present him with the expert panel�s report here this afternoon. The delegation also met Union Power Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde and his deputy Bharatsinh Solanki.
�It is true that an expert committee has submitted a report on the environmental impact, both on the biodiversity of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam, as well as on the larger ecological imbalance downstream. This report has been submitted by a group from IIT, Guwahati,� said Ramesh.
�I have seen this report and I have also seen the comments on this report prepared by the project proponent, the National Hydro Power Corporation. I wish to assure the hon. Member that both the report of the expert committee as well as the comments on the report by the NHPC would be taken into account by the Ministry of Environment and Forests and, under no circumstances we will allow any project which will have an adverse ecological impact. That much I want to assure you,� he said,
Earlier, Baishya pointing to the adverse impact of the Lower Subansiri Hydro Project, said it would create serious environmental impact on many districts of Assam, including the totally tribal-dominated district of Dhemaji. The dam site is an important biodiversity spot. It would submerge Tale Valley Sanctuary and Reserve Forest, Panir Reserve Forest of Arunachal Pradesh and Subansiri Reserve Forest of Assam, he claimed amidst slight disruption.
The dam site is an elephant corridor and if dam is constructed, elephant movement in this area will be affected. Baishya also referred to an expert committee report.
Meanwhile, addressing newsmen, AASU adviser, Samujjal Bhattacharyya and publicity secretary of Arahul Loying and head of the Department of IT of Gauhati University Dr Shekhar Kumar Sarma said that they have called for immediate steps on all mega dam projects by the governments of Assam and India.
Bhattacharyya said they presented the 500-page report to the Central Ministers along with a map of Arunachal Pradesh depicting the layout of the 165 dams across the State.
Samujjal quoted the Environment and Forest Minister as saying that the expert panel report would be studied and appropriate steps taken. A meeting with all stake holders is likely to be convened to work out an effective step and that the Ministry was prepared to reconsider all mega dam projects that would damage the ecology.
The Union Power Minister too spoke more or less on the same line, stating that they would first study the report before taking any step.
Pointing towards the dangers posed by construction of mega dams in the upper reaches of the vivers, Bhattacharya alleged that the Central Government as always is eyeing the natural resources of the region.
An estimated 70,000 MW of power is proposed to be generated but the demand of the region may not exceed 4000-5000 MW, he argued.
The adviser further pointed to the devastation caused by Ranganadi Hydro Power Project and Kurrichu Dam Project downstream in Assam to buttress his claim on the adverse impact of the mega downstream projects.
Their case was that no downstream impact study was conducted ahead of the start of the project work and no cumulative study conducted on impact of 165 dams downstream.
Bhattacharya said a delegation representing 25 indigenous organisations is scheduled to visit the national capital later this month to meet the Prime Minister and Union Home Minister.
NEW DELHI, Aug 9 � In a significant pronouncement, Environment and Forest Minister Jairam Ramesh today assured that his Ministry would not allow any project that is likely to have an adverse ecological impact. The ecological impact of Lower Subansiri Hydro-electric Project and other projects would be taken into account before taking any next step.
�There is no question of allowing any project that has demonstrable and tangible adverse environmental impact,� said the Minister in reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha by Biren Baishya.
The Minister conveyed the same to a delegation of All Assam Students� Union (AASU) and All Mising Students� Union (AMSU), when they called on him to present him with the expert panel�s report here this afternoon. The delegation also met Union Power Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde and his deputy Bharatsinh Solanki.
�It is true that an expert committee has submitted a report on the environmental impact, both on the biodiversity of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam, as well as on the larger ecological imbalance downstream. This report has been submitted by a group from IIT, Guwahati,� said Ramesh.
�I have seen this report and I have also seen the comments on this report prepared by the project proponent, the National Hydro Power Corporation. I wish to assure the hon. Member that both the report of the expert committee as well as the comments on the report by the NHPC would be taken into account by the Ministry of Environment and Forests and, under no circumstances we will allow any project which will have an adverse ecological impact. That much I want to assure you,� he said,
Earlier, Baishya pointing to the adverse impact of the Lower Subansiri Hydro Project, said it would create serious environmental impact on many districts of Assam, including the totally tribal-dominated district of Dhemaji. The dam site is an important biodiversity spot. It would submerge Tale Valley Sanctuary and Reserve Forest, Panir Reserve Forest of Arunachal Pradesh and Subansiri Reserve Forest of Assam, he claimed amidst slight disruption.
The dam site is an elephant corridor and if dam is constructed, elephant movement in this area will be affected. Baishya also referred to an expert committee report.
Meanwhile, addressing newsmen, AASU adviser, Samujjal Bhattacharyya and publicity secretary of Arahul Loying and head of the Department of IT of Gauhati University Dr Shekhar Kumar Sarma said that they have called for immediate steps on all mega dam projects by the governments of Assam and India.
Bhattacharyya said they presented the 500-page report to the Central Ministers along with a map of Arunachal Pradesh depicting the layout of the 165 dams across the State.
Samujjal quoted the Environment and Forest Minister as saying that the expert panel report would be studied and appropriate steps taken. A meeting with all stake holders is likely to be convened to work out an effective step and that the Ministry was prepared to reconsider all mega dam projects that would damage the ecology.
The Union Power Minister too spoke more or less on the same line, stating that they would first study the report before taking any step.
Pointing towards the dangers posed by construction of mega dams in the upper reaches of the vivers, Bhattacharya alleged that the Central Government as always is eyeing the natural resources of the region.
An estimated 70,000 MW of power is proposed to be generated but the demand of the region may not exceed 4000-5000 MW, he argued.
The adviser further pointed to the devastation caused by Ranganadi Hydro Power Project and Kurrichu Dam Project downstream in Assam to buttress his claim on the adverse impact of the mega downstream projects.
Their case was that no downstream impact study was conducted ahead of the start of the project work and no cumulative study conducted on impact of 165 dams downstream.
Bhattacharya said a delegation representing 25 indigenous organisations is scheduled to visit the national capital later this month to meet the Prime Minister and Union Home Minister.
