The Environment Ministry’s Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) has provisionally approved the Etalin hydropower project, which has a capacity of 3,097 MW, despite prior biodiversity and wildlife concerns associated with the project.

Key Points:

• Project Overview:

  • The Etalin hydropower project is set to be constructed in the Dibang Valley, Arunachal Pradesh, involving the diversion of 1,175 hectares of forest land and the felling of around 2.78 lakh trees.
  • It is one of India's largest proposed hydropower projects in terms of generation capacity.

• Background of Approval:

  • The FAC previously rejected the project in December 2022 due to concerns about biodiversity and wildlife and mandated additional assessments.
  • Current approval comes amidst ongoing protests from local communities, particularly the Idu Mishmi community, who have raised objections concerning the project’s environmental impact.

• Biodiversity Concerns:

  • The Dri and Talo rivers (local name for the Dibang) are in a biodiversity-rich region, home to numerous wildlife species, including tigers, leopards, and various birds.
  • Previous assessments, including a wildlife conservation plan submitted by the Wildlife Institute of India in 2019, received criticism for scientific inaccuracies, further complicating the approval process.

• FAC Discussions and Decisions:

  • The FAC has discussed the proposed project six times from 2015 to 2022, assessing ecological, social, and economic aspects.
  • Risk-related conditions and assessments were previously mandated, including the necessity for a multi-season biodiversity study which has not been conducted.

• Current Justifications for Approval:

  • The FAC has stated that existing studies addressed the concerns raised and found them satisfactory, leading to their recommendation for provisional approval.

• Timeline of Approval Process:

  • The appraisal process for the project has spanned several years, commencing in 2014, highlighting ongoing contention and debate regarding its environmental ramifications.

• Community Resistance:

  • The planned project development is mostly within community forest areas, underscoring tensions between development initiatives and local community rights and conservation efforts.

• Economic Implications:

  • The approval of this project is part of a wider government initiative to fast-track hydropower projects in the North-East, potentially enhancing electricity generation capacity, but raises significant environmental and ecological concerns.

In summary, while the Etalin hydropower project has received in-principle approval from the FAC, it remains controversial given its potential impacts on a biodiversity-rich area and significant community opposition. The issues surrounding the project reflect broader tensions in energy development versus environmental conservation within India.

Summary of India’s Participation at the UN Ocean Conference (UNOC3)

At the Third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) held in Nice, France, from June 27 to July 1, 2023, India, represented by Union Minister of Earth Sciences (Independent Charge) Dr. Jitendra Singh, emphasized the urgent need for global action on ocean health and showcased significant developments in India's maritime strategy.

Key Highlights:

• Global Ocean Pact Advocacy: Dr. Singh highlighted the necessity for a legally binding Global Plastics Treaty and called for rapid ratification of the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement.

• Deep Ocean Mission: The Minister presented India’s progress on the Deep Ocean Mission, specifically the “Samudrayaan” project, aimed to deploy India’s first manned submersible by 2026, capable of exploring ocean depths up to 6,000 meters. This initiative enhances India's scientific capabilities significantly.

• Plastic Pollution Initiatives: India's efforts in marine plastic clean-up, including the nationwide ban on single-use plastics and the successful ‘Swachh Sagar, Surakshit Sagar’ campaign, which has cleaned over 1,000 km of coastline and removed more than 50,000 tonnes of plastic waste since 2022, were underscored.

• Marine Protected Areas: As part of enhancing biodiversity, India has expanded its Marine Protected Areas which now cover 6.6% of the Exclusive Economic Zone.

• Economic Investments: Emphasizing India's Blue Economy, the Minister mentioned the operationalization of over 600 port-led infrastructure projects worth $80 billion and $2.5 billion investments targeted to modernize the fisheries sector, resulting in a 10% increase in fish production and the establishment of over 1,000 fish farmer producer organizations.

• Environmental Restoration: Over 10,000 hectares of mangroves have been restored as part of climate resilience efforts, and nature-based solutions have been implemented within shoreline management plans.

• Integration with Climate Goals: India's ocean-based climate actions have been integrated into its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement.

• Promotion of Ocean Management: The launch of the ‘SAHAV’ digital ocean data portal enhances India’s commitment to transparent, science-based ocean management.

• Co-leadership in Global Initiatives: India’s collaborative efforts were showcased through its co-leadership in ‘Blue Talks’ with France and Costa Rica, alongside active participation in sessions on Marine Spatial Planning.

• Call for International Cooperation: Dr. Jitendra Singh urged the international community to invest in innovation and finalize the Nice Ocean Action Plan, emphasizing shared responsibility in preserving ocean health.

• Commitment to Sustainable Development: India reaffirmed its dedication to Sustainable Development Goal 14 (SDG 14: Life Below Water), aiming at reversing ocean degradation through science, innovation, and partnerships.

Conclusion:
India’s participation at UNOC3 signals a strategic shift in its role, establishing itself as a proactive player in shaping global marine policy while addressing pressing issues like marine biodiversity, pollution, and sustainable fisheries management.

Important Points:

• Dr. Jitendra Singh calls for global ocean pact and international cooperation.
• Advanced projects under Deep Ocean Mission target 6,000 meters depth exploration.
• Successful plastic pollution campaigns have removed over 50,000 tonnes of waste.
• Marine Protected Areas cover 6.6% of India’s Exclusive Economic Zone.
• India’s significant investments in the Blue Economy: $80 billion in port projects and $2.5 billion in fisheries modernization.
• Restoration of mangroves and coastal management strategies aiming at climate resilience.
• SAHAV portal launched for improved ocean data management.
• A comprehensive push for collaborative global governance in marine sustainability.