The EAC's recommendation for environmental clearance to the 1,605 MW Subansiri Upper Hydro Project highlights the tension between hydropower development and forest conservation. Key issues include diversion of 2,733 hectares of forest land, felling of 1.35 lakh trees, and compensatory afforestation in MP. This is crucial for UPSC Mains GS3 (Environment, Infrastructure) and Prelims (Forest Conservation Act, EAC).
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- ›Project Capacity: 1,605 MW
- ›Forest Land Diversion: 2,733 hectares
- ›Target this Data: 1,605 MW capacity, 2,733 ha forest land, 1,35,733 trees, 5,466 ha compensatory afforestation, 237 m dam height, 22.2 sq km reservoir, 1,139 households affected (Lower project).
- ›Target this Nodal Body: Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) under MoEFCC; project proponent NHPC.
- ›Target this Legal Point: Forest Conservation Act, 1980; Supreme Court directive (August 2009) regarding upstream projects.
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