Indian minister opts for clean hydro over environment concerns

Refuting objections from a wildlife expert committee, India’s environment minister Jayanthi Natarajan has approved a 1,750 MW lower hydroelectric project on the Lohit River in the state of Arunachal Pradesh, according to the Economic Times.

In a memorandum approving the project, which is jointly run by Athena Demwe Power and the Arunachal Pradesh government , Natarajan 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.