Proposal for Arunachal's Kalai-II Hydel Project Skips Mentioning Endangered White-Bellied Heron Habitat

📌 Summary:

• THDC India Ltd proposal seeks clearance for diversion of 869.35 ha semi-evergreen forest for 1,200 MW Kalai-II hydroelectric project, Anjaw district, Arunachal Pradesh
• Project planned in habitat of critically endangered White-Bellied Heron (Scheduled-I under WPA 1972 — highest protection), but proposal to FAC does NOT mention the species
• Project on Lohit river (tributary of Brahmaputra), bordering China; Rs 14,176.26 crore run-of-the-river scheme; 128.5 m concrete gravity dam and underground powerhouse
• FAC (Forest Advisory Committee under MoEFCC) was scheduled to appraise project on May 8
• Raises concerns about EIA process integrity and protection of critically endangered species in infrastructure proposals

📚 Prelims Fact:

• White-Bellied Heron: critically endangered; Schedule-I under Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 (highest protection); FAC = Forest Advisory Committee under MoEFCC grants forest diversion clearances