ITANAGAR, 1 Sep: The North East Human Rights (NEHR) has appealed to Chief Minister Pema Khandu for urgent review of hydropower projects located downstream of high-risk glacial lakes in light of the recent Nepal disaster caused by flash flood.
In a letter to the CM, NEHR chairperson Ebo Mili, while reminding the CM of an earlier representation submitted in February 2024 regarding the growing threat of glacial lake outburst floods (GLOF) in Arunachal Pradesh, said "the recent glacial lake outburst disaster in Nepal, triggered by the collapse of glacier ice, is deeply saddening and serves as a stark warning. Yet India continues to ignore the same threat on our own soil."
Stating that Arunachal is ringed by glacial lakes, the NEHR chairperson said that the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has long classified many of these lakes as high-risk under Categories A, B and C, with Category A posing an immediate threat. Several of these lakes lie barely 30-50 km from the nearest road and inhabited areas, the NEHR said.
The NEHR further said that in 2024, the State Disaster Management Authority itself had conducted a survey of glacial lakes and confirmed the danger by flagging many of them as very high risk.
The district-wise figures are alarming, the NEHR said, and added that Dibang Valley district has 16 glacial lakes flagged as high risk, while Anjaw has three, Tawang six, Kurung Kumey one, and Shi-Yomi one.
"Despite clear and present danger, both the state and central governments continue to aggressively push mega hydropower projects located directly downstream of these high-risk lakes," the NEHR said.
The NEHR chairperson stated that the 3,097 mw Etalin hydroelectric project is situated only about 38 km downstream of Category A glacial lakes and the 1,200 mw Kalai-II project in Anjaw district lies just below Hawai, with Category A lakes barely 30 km away.
The NEHR further said that Tato-I and Tato-II projects in Shi-Yomi district stand in close proximity to high-risk glacial lakes.
"Most concerning is the proposed 11,000 mw Upper Siang Multipurpose Project near Tuting, where Category A lakes of very high risk lie only about 25 km from the road. Reports indicate that around 1,000 paramilitary personnel have been deployed to impose this project upon the local villagers. This situation creates a strong impression that neither the state nor the central government is adequately concerned about the lives and safety of villagers living in the shadow of these officially flagged high-risk glacial lakes. The continued silence on related security concerns only deepens this sense of neglect," the letter said.
The NEHR appealed to the CM to urgently review its earlier representation of February 2024 and act upon it.
It called for a comprehensive, independent reassessment of all hydropower projects located downstream of Category A and high-risk glacial lakes.
"Immediate steps must be taken for continuous monitoring, early warning systems, and protective measures for the vulnerable populations living in these areas, and the safety of the people of Arunachal Pradesh should be placed above all other considerations," the letter said.
