What is the common examiner trap about Environment in UPSC exams?

They may ask which schedule the White-Bellied Heron is under (Schedule I) and provide other schedules as options. They may also confuse the project's river (Lohit, a tributary of Brahmaputra) with other major rivers in Arunachal like Siang or Subansiri.

What should UPSC aspirants remember about Environment for Prelims?

1. Target this Data: Project cost ₹14,176.26 Cr, Capacity 1,200 MW, Forest diversion 869.35 ha. 2. Target this Nodal Body: Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) under MoEFCC. 3. Target this Legal Point: White-Bellied Heron is under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

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News 15 of 29

THDC India Ltd’s ₹14,176.26 Cr Kalai-II Hydel Project on Lohit River Omits Critically Endangered White-Bellied Heron Habitat in FAC Proposal

Q: Under which Union Ministry does the Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) function?

Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, The Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) is a statutory body constituted under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, and functions under the administrative control of the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC). It advises the government on the diversion of forest land for non-forest purposes.

Q: Consider the following statements regarding the Kalai-II hydroelectric project mentioned in the news: 1. It is a run-of-the-river project proposed on the Lohit river in Arunachal Pradesh. 2. The project proposal explicitly mentioned the presence of the critically endangered White-Bellied Heron in its impact assessment. 3. Compensatory afforestation for the forest land diverted for this project is proposed to be carried out within Arunachal Pradesh itself. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Only 1, Statement 1 is correct as the article states the project is a run-of-the-river project on the Lohit river. Statement 2 is incorrect because the article highlights that the proposal 'does not make any mention of the species.' Statement 3 is incorrect as compensatory afforestation is proposed in Madhya Pradesh, not within Arunachal Pradesh.

Q: What is the proposed installed capacity of the Kalai-II hydroelectric project as per the news article?

1,200 MW, The article explicitly states that the proposal is for the '1,200 MW Kalai-II hydroelectric project.' The other options are plausible distractors for different hydro projects in the region but are not mentioned in this context.

Q: What is the primary environmental governance issue highlighted by the omission of the White-Bellied Heron's habitat from the project proposal?

It indicates a procedural failure in the mandatory biodiversity impact assessment., The core issue is the failure of the environmental impact assessment process. For a project in the habitat of a Schedule I species, a thorough assessment of its impact on that species is legally and procedurally mandatory. Omitting this information represents a critical flaw in the governance process designed to protect endangered wildlife.

Environment Polity InfrastructureSUPPORT

Target:UPSC GS-IIIMPSCTeachingSSC GAPrelims HighMains HighStatic GK Link

07 May 2026

~2 min

Source: Indian Express

Key Data:₹14,176.26 crore1,200 MW869.35 hectares128.5 m

Bodies:Forest Advisory Committee (FAC)THDC India LtdArunachal Pradesh Forest Department

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~2 min · Quick mode

What This Article Covers

1.THDC India Ltd's proposal for the 1,200 MW Kalai-II hydroelectric project seeks diversion of 869.35 hectares of forest in Arunachal's Anjaw district, bordering China.

2.The proposal, placed before the Environment Ministry's Forest Advisory Committee (FAC), does not mention the project's location in the habitat of the critically endangered White-Bellied Heron.

3.A joint site inspection report signed by the Namsai Divisional Forest Officer stated 'no rare or endangered flora and fauna is present,' contradicting known records of the bird's presence upstream and downstream of the project site.

The Big Picture

Prelims · HighMains · High

A 1,200 MW hydroelectric project proposal in Arunachal Pradesh, submitted to the Forest Advisory Committee, has omitted mention of its location in the habitat of the critically endangered White-Bellied Heron, a species protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. This raises serious concerns about environmental impact assessment protocols and biodiversity conservation in ecologically sensitive areas.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Project Capacity1,200 MW

Project Cost₹14,176.26 crore

Forest Land Diversion869.35 hectares

Dam Height128.5 m

FAC Appraisal DateMay 8, 2026

1-Minute Revision

›Project Capacity: 1,200 MW
›Project Cost: ₹14,176.26 crore
›Target this Data: Project cost ₹14,176.26 Cr, Capacity 1,200 MW, Forest diversion 869.35 ha.
›Target this Nodal Body: Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) under MoEFCC.
›Target this Legal Point: White-Bellied Heron is under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

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News Snapshot

⚠️

Omission of Critical Habitat

The project proposal to the Forest Advisory Committee omitted any mention of the critically endangered White-Bellied Heron's habitat on the Lohit River.

🏗️

Major Infrastructure Project

The ₹14,176.26 crore, 1,200 MW run-of-the-river project involves a 128.5 m dam on the Lohit river, a tributary of the Brahmaputra.

🌳

Compensatory Afforestation Dispute

Compensatory afforestation for the forest loss in Arunachal Pradesh is proposed in Madhya Pradesh, citing Arunachal's high forest cover.

Detailed Analysis & Strategic Depth

Context / Background

The Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) under the Union Environment Ministry is a statutory body that grants clearance for diversion of forest land for non-forest purposes under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980. The process mandates a comprehensive assessment of biodiversity impact, especially concerning species listed under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. The White-Bellied Heron (Ardea insignis) is a critically endangered bird species accorded the highest protection under Schedule I of the Act, making its habitat a critical consideration for any project clearance.

Core Analysis & Implications

This case highlights a significant procedural and ethical lapse in India's environmental governance. The omission of a Schedule I species from a project proposal, despite documented evidence of its presence, questions the integrity of the site inspection process and the 'Precautionary Principle' central to environmental law. It also reveals a conflict between state development goals (hydel power) and federal conservation mandates. The proposal to conduct compensatory afforestation in a different biogeographic zone (Madhya Pradesh) for loss in Arunachal Pradesh's Eastern Himalayas is ecologically unsound and violates the principle of 'like-for-like' compensation.

Future Outlook / Way Forward

The FAC's decision will set a critical precedent. It must rigorously enforce the provisions of the Wildlife Protection Act and the Forest (Conservation) Act. There is a need to strengthen the independence and technical capacity of site inspection teams and mandate the involvement of wildlife experts in all inspections within or near protected areas or habitats of threatened species. The case also underscores the necessity for a transparent, publicly accessible database of all species-specific habitat records to prevent such omissions in future proposals.

Key Facts at a Glance

Project Capacity1,200 MW

Project Cost₹14,176.26 crore

Forest Land Diversion869.35 hectares

Dam Height128.5 m

FAC Appraisal DateMay 8, 2026

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Practice exam-style questions based on this article.

Q1Static LinkageEasyUPSC, SSC, State PSC

Under which Union Ministry does the Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) function?

Q2Statement-basedMediumUPSC, SSC

Consider the following statements regarding the Kalai-II hydroelectric project mentioned in the news:

1. It is a run-of-the-river project proposed on the Lohit river in Arunachal Pradesh.

2. The project proposal explicitly mentioned the presence of the critically endangered White-Bellied Heron in its impact assessment.

3. Compensatory afforestation for the forest land diverted for this project is proposed to be carried out within Arunachal Pradesh itself.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricEasyUPSC, SSC, State PSC

What is the proposed installed capacity of the Kalai-II hydroelectric project as per the news article?

Q4Application/ImpactMediumUPSC, State PSC

What is the primary environmental governance issue highlighted by the omission of the White-Bellied Heron's habitat from the project proposal?

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THDC India Ltd’s ₹14,176.26 Cr Kalai-II Hydel Project on Lohit River Omits Critically Endangered White-Bellied Heron Habitat in FAC Proposal

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

1-Minute Revision

News Snapshot

Omission of Critical Habitat

Major Infrastructure Project

Compensatory Afforestation Dispute

Detailed Analysis & Strategic Depth

Context / Background

Core Analysis & Implications

Future Outlook / Way Forward

Prelims Flashpoints

Key Facts at a Glance