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Indian court moves on big dams Legal challenge to dams in India
(about 1 hour later)
A court in India has admitted a petition by an environment group challenging the commissioning of large dams in the country's north-east. A court in India has agreed to consider a challenge by an environment group to the commissioning of large dams in the country's north-east.
The Environment Protection and Sustainable Society (EPSS) has moved the court asking it stop 13 proposed large dams in Arunachal Pradesh state. The Environment Protection and Sustainable Society (EPSS) went to the court to ask it to stop 13 proposed large dams in Arunachal Pradesh state.
The group says these huge projects will damage the environment and displace tribes people from their habitats.The group says these huge projects will damage the environment and displace tribes people from their habitats.
Large dams have recently become a subject of controversy in India.Large dams have recently become a subject of controversy in India.
The EPSS said in its petition that these dams would also pose a risk to the future of Arunachal Pradesh and neighbouring Assam states which are located in a very sensitive seismic zone that has witnessed two massive earthquakes in the past 100 years.The EPSS said in its petition that these dams would also pose a risk to the future of Arunachal Pradesh and neighbouring Assam states which are located in a very sensitive seismic zone that has witnessed two massive earthquakes in the past 100 years.
'Faulty assessment''Faulty assessment'
The group alleged that the environmental impact assessments of these proposed hydro projects were faulty and did not take into account that they will destroy several game sanctuaries and bird parks that house some of the world's most endangered species.The group alleged that the environmental impact assessments of these proposed hydro projects were faulty and did not take into account that they will destroy several game sanctuaries and bird parks that house some of the world's most endangered species.
The Guwahati High Court has issued notices to the Indian government, the state governments of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam and seven other government organisations, asking them to respond to the allegations raised by the EPSS.The Guwahati High Court has issued notices to the Indian government, the state governments of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam and seven other government organisations, asking them to respond to the allegations raised by the EPSS.
India plans to turn Arunachal Pradesh into the country's most important powerhouse by tapping its huge hydro-electric potential estimated at more than 40000MW.India plans to turn Arunachal Pradesh into the country's most important powerhouse by tapping its huge hydro-electric potential estimated at more than 40000MW.
Delhi has already finalised plans for projects capable of generating 23390MW of power and public sector companies are now issuing tenders for 13 projects capable of generating 7000MW.Delhi has already finalised plans for projects capable of generating 23390MW of power and public sector companies are now issuing tenders for 13 projects capable of generating 7000MW.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh says easy and cheap power will be the key to sustaining India's high economic growth rate.Prime Minister Manmohan Singh says easy and cheap power will be the key to sustaining India's high economic growth rate.
Work on some huge hydro projects like the 2000MW Lower Subansiri dam has already begun.Work on some huge hydro projects like the 2000MW Lower Subansiri dam has already begun.
'Decimation of tribes''Decimation of tribes'
Federal officials argue that Arunachal Pradesh is sparsely populated and displacement will be minimal.Federal officials argue that Arunachal Pradesh is sparsely populated and displacement will be minimal.
But environmentalists argue that the region is one of the world's bio-diversity hotspot and that should be protected.But environmentalists argue that the region is one of the world's bio-diversity hotspot and that should be protected.
Tribal groups say displacing the small ethnic communities would lead to their ultimate decimation.Tribal groups say displacing the small ethnic communities would lead to their ultimate decimation.
Experts have opposed moves by the government to commission big dams in Arunachal Pradesh.Experts have opposed moves by the government to commission big dams in Arunachal Pradesh.
One of them, Dulal Goswami, said: "The database on the fallout of these huge dams on the region's ecology is uncertain because the environmental impact studies are clearly inadequate."One of them, Dulal Goswami, said: "The database on the fallout of these huge dams on the region's ecology is uncertain because the environmental impact studies are clearly inadequate."
Neeraj Vagholikar of environmental protection group, Kalpavrishk, said the federal government's environment impact assessments did not take into account the risks of the downstream communities.Neeraj Vagholikar of environmental protection group, Kalpavrishk, said the federal government's environment impact assessments did not take into account the risks of the downstream communities.
"Assam is at grave risk from these dams," he said."Assam is at grave risk from these dams," he said.
Several others experts raised the issue of displacing the tribal communities and destroying the bio-diversity hotspots.Several others experts raised the issue of displacing the tribal communities and destroying the bio-diversity hotspots.
But the Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Dorjee Khandu dismissed the apprehensions.But the Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Dorjee Khandu dismissed the apprehensions.
He said his government looked forward to the huge revenues these proposed projects will bring to the state.He said his government looked forward to the huge revenues these proposed projects will bring to the state.
He said the small tribal communities that face displacement will be adequately compensated and settled.He said the small tribal communities that face displacement will be adequately compensated and settled.