Agenda No. 5 F. No. 8-85/2014-FC

Sub: Diversion of 1502.30 ha of forest land for construction of Siyom Hydro Electric Project (1000 MW) in favour of M/s Siyom Hydro Power Private Limited in of .

The proposal was last considered by the FAC in its meeting held on 17th March, 2015 and after detailed discussion and examination of the proposal vis-a-vis final reports on Cumulative Impact Assessment & Carrying Capacity Study of Siang - the Sub basin including Down Stream Impacts prepared by the Central Water Commission, the Committee recommended that the final decision on FC for the project will be taken only after the acceptance of the Cumulative Impact Assessment & Carrying Capacity Study by the MoEF &CC. The Siang basin study has been accepted by MoEF&CC. The proposal will be placed before the FAC as soon as the FRA compliance is submitted by the State Govt. In the meantime the State Govt has been asked to comply with the provisions of FRA. Reply from the State Government is awaited.

The detailed proceeding of FAC meeting on 17th March, 2015 is as follows:-

“The Committee discussed the above mentioned proposal, heard the views of the User Agency and observed as below:-

1. Proposal envisages construction of Siyom Hydro Electric Project (1000 MW) over river Siyom in West Siang District of Arunachal Pradesh. The proposed project is located downstream of river Siyom near Raying. The Siyom project is Run of the River project with peaking capability and envisage construction of concrete dam 155 m (approx) high above the river bed level, river diversion works comprising of diversion tunnels/culverts with upstream and down stream coffer dam, concrete lined Head Race Tunnel, steel line innercicularpressure shaft, power house complex and Tail Race Tunnel, etc. The project will generate about 3903 GWh design energy at 95% machine availability in a 90% dependable year. The project is located in very remote area at approx. 56 Km from the Along in West Sing District 2. The proposal involves Unclassified State Forests. The proposed project shall affect 1,24,295 trees including poles. The ruling crown density of the area is 0.4 to 0.5. The forest types belongs to the Tropical Semi Evergreen Forest of Eco-Class-I. 3. The site for CA has been identified in the land bank available in Tawang Social Forestry Division (Equivalent i.e. 1502.30 ha or say 1503 ha area of degraded community Forest land in Bleteng village which is mutated in favor of the State Forest Department has been selected for CA). 4. The proposed area does not form part of National Park, Wildlife Sanctuary, Biosphere Reserve, Tiger Reserve, etc. 5. There is no protected archaeological/heritage site/defense establishment in the proposed area 6. Compliance of Scheduled Tribe and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 has not been submitted. 7. The Recommendations and Observations of the Regional office are as below. (i) The Regional Office in its Site Inspection Report (SIR) has observed as below The clarification sought by Regional office, Shillong, on the exact height of the Dam has been furnished by the User Agency, wherein they have clarified that the project envisages construction of concrete dam 169m (approx) high above river bed level (Corrected copy of From – A: Part – I enclosed). GPS co-ordinates of various project components are also provided by the User Agency. (ii) There are 5 no. of Quarry proposed in the project wherein a total area of 184.7 ha forest land is involved. Out of these 5 no. of quarry, 2 no. (Involving an area of 73.5 ha) are located downstream of the proposed Dam, and the remaining 3 no. (Involving an area of 110.7 ha) are located upstream of the Dam. As the geological formation of the submergence area should not be different from the proposed Quarry, hence efforts should be made by User agency to explore the possibilities of extracting rock materials from the submergence area (1071 ha instead of opening new areas for the Quarry, thereby significant forest land be avoided, (iii)A location of Border Road (Taying to Mechuka) will be coming under the proposed submergence area, for which a proposal for diversion of forest land for re-alignment of the existing road stands submitted by the Border Roads Organisation to the DFO concerned. Hence additional diversion of forest land will be involved for the road. (iv) As per the comments / report of the CCF, Central Arunachal Circle, , the distance of Mouling National Park and Dihang Dibang Biosphere from the periphery of the proposed reservoir is stated to be 5 to 7 km in the DPR Vol –I Chapter -13 at Page – 16 of the project. Hence this aerial distance of the nearest Protected areas from the periphery of the reservoir needs to be confirmed, and if it falls within 10 km distance, then approval from the Standing Committee of NBWL has to be obtained. (v) An area of 93.7 ha has been proposed by the User Agency for accommodating Camps & offices, explosive magazine, etc (Refer serial no. 7 under break-up of land requirement at Para2). This area involved being very large, hence efforts should be made by the User Agency to locate these components outside Forest land and to reduce the area requirement to the barest minimum. 8. Recommendations of Regional Chief Conservator of Forest along with details reasons. i. Arunachal Pradesh is having a very dense forest cover of 13,182 sq. km, moderate dense forest 2074 sq. km and open forest of 9698 sq. km i.e. 43,554 sq. km within the Green – Wash (the extent of wooded area generally shown in light green colour on SOI- toposheet). a. The forest cover outside the Green – Wash is very dense forest which is 7646 sq. km, moderate dense forest 10740 sq. km and open forest of 5381 sq. km. i.e. 23,767 sq. km. The total forest cover in the State within the Green – Wash and outside the Green – Wash is 67,321 sq. km (FSI report 2013). These forest areas in the State of Arunachal Pradesh are considered as a hot spot of Bio-Diversity ii. The Siyom HEP is proposed to be setup in West Siang District of the State. As per the FSI report 2013, the District is having 2473 sq. km. very dense forest, 2717 sq. km. moderate dense forest and 1578 sq. km open forest i.e. 6768 forest area out of 7813 sq, km. of the District Geographical area. The percentage of forest area in the District is 86.2% (FSI report 2013). iii. State Forest Department has stated that the proposed Siyom HEP is approximately 23 kms from Dihang Dibang Biosphere Reserve, 30 Kms from yarde Rabe Supse Wildlife Sanctuary and 5 to 7 km from Mouling National Park. iv. The Wildlife animal species present in these Wildlife Sanctuary and Un-classed Forest. The movement of these animals is not restricted to National Park/Wildlife Sanctuary but is crossed the adjacent forest area in the District. v. The Forest Department has not conducted any survey to assess the effect of the Siyom HEP on the movement of the Wild animals in these forest area and the impact of the dam on the habitat of these animals. vi. Removal of trees, shrubs and ground vegetation will affect the surrounding eco-system of the forest area. The construction of the dam will also affect the micro climate of the forest area surrounding it. vii. There will be a rise in water temperature in the submergence area which will affect the aqua and micro aqua species in the river. viii. The lower downstream water level will be gradually reduced by the construction of the dam which will affect aqua and micro aqua species. The water level in the downstream of the Siyom river will have to be maintained for the ecological balance of the aquatic fauna. ix. The trees, shrubs, trees stumps etc in the submergence area will have to be removed completely so that it will not be left to decompose which will gradually leads to the accumulation of methane gas causing Green House Effect. x. Disaster Management plan is essential for this project as area of Arunachal Pradesh is categorized under Sensitive seismic Zoon. xi. The User Agency and the Forest Department has recommended 93.7 ha of forest land for office building, residential building etc. the construction of residential building attracts para 4.5 of the FC Act, 1980, therefore the construction of such residential building will have to be in a non-forest land. The construction of buildings for maintenance of the HEP Project will have to be on need basis and it should be double or triple storied to minimize the use of the forest in the compact area so as to avoid isolated camps across the project area. xii. The proposed forest area of 93.7 ha cannot be recommended for the use of building construction and the forest Department will have to reduce and revise the area required. 9. The Cumulative impact assessment study /River basin study of Siang basin is yet to be accepted by the MoEF&CC.

After detailed discussion the FAC recommended that the proposal will be considered after acceptance of the Cumulative Environment Impact Assessment Study (River Basin study) and its acceptance by the Ministry.

In the meantime the State Government may take following actions.

(i) Examine the observations made by the Regional Office in its SIR and, if required, may modify and re-submit the proposal after addressing the issues raised by the Regional Office in its report.

(ii) Submit the CAT Plan if any, prepared as part of Environment Management Plan in the process of Environmental Clearance.

(iii)Submit the detailed R&R plan for rehabilitation of affected families.

(iv) Submit DGPS maps of land proposed for diversion and the land identified for CA along with land suitability certificate from competent authority.

(v) Submit the compliance of Scheduled Tribe and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, as per the MoEF&CC advisory.

(vi) There was an issue with a high court order with reference to EC of this project. The same was not clear either from the UA or from the concerned complainant (email copied to members). A declaration on the same may be sought from UA through the State government.

3. In the meantime, The CIAS has been completed and the Ministry has accepted the study. The main features are as follows:-

(i) The recommendations of the above study report have been approved by MoEF&CC. The recommendations as accepted are required to be considered as roadmap for development of hydropower projects in Siang river basin. The report outlines capacity, size, location of HEPs commensurate with the basins environmental carrying capacity conforming to the accepted cumulative impacts. However, EIA/EMP shall have to be carried out for individual projects as per provision of EIA- Notification 2006 and its subsequent amendments. Modification in designs such as lowering of FRL wherever recommended need to be incorporated. (ii) For the remaining 29 projects, environmental flow release has been recommended are annexed as Annexure-II. These must be conditioned in the final approval of the projects.

(iii) On main Siyom River, four projects in cascade taking about 55 km of the river stretch is impacting the river ecosystem. Therefore, there should be at least 1 km of free flowing river stretch between adjacent projects wherein river can flow in natural conditions in all the seasons to ensure habitat connectivity, rejuvenation and preventing landscape fragmentation. Accordingly, FRL of three projects viz. Tato II, Naying and Siyom Middle should be lowered so that free flowing river stretches of 1 km can be maintained between FRL and TWL of these four projects in cascade.

(iv) Three large projects have been proposed on main Siang river viz. Siang Upper Stage-I (6000 MW), Siang Upper Stage-II (3750 MW) and Siang Lower (2700 MW). So far only Siang Upper Stage-II (3750 MW) has valid scoping clearance from MoEF&CC. (Study Report has discussed in detail cumulative impacts of these three large storage projects on Siang river covering biodiversity aspects, impacts on river ecology especially movement of Mahseer, downstream impacts of diurnal flooding at D’Ering Memorial WLS in lean season, converting over 70% of Siang river reach in India to reservoir with no free flowing stretch, etc. MoEF&CC has accepted the recommendations for freezing the total capacity in Upper Siang project at 9750 MW. The configurations of the projects within the approved capacity are to be decided by State Government/MoP. However, there would be a mandatory requirement of cumulative impact analysis of the projects in main Sian River to be carried out before environment clearance is accorded. There is also a need for an additional study to assess the impacts of various configuration of these projects on the main Siang River.

(v) Among four planned HEPS on Siyom river Naying and Hirong are yet to get the EC from MoEF&CC. However, the HEPs should be asked to implement recommendation of design modification by lowering FRL.

(vi) Projects to be appraised henceforth shall explore the provision of longitudinal connectivity for smooth biota movement and silt transportation.

In view of recommendations of CIAS and its acceptance by the Ministry, the FRL of Siyom HEP requires to be lowered.

A background note on the proposal along with the fact sheet is as below:-

1. The State Government of Arunachal Pradesh vide their letter No. FOR.301/CONS/2010/115- 119 dated 22.01.2014 submitted the above mentioned proposal seeking prior approval of the Central Government under Section-2 of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980. 2. Proposal envisages construction of Siyom Hydro Electric Project (1000 MW) over river Siyom in West Siang District of Arunachal Pradesh. The proposed project is located downstream of river Siyom near Raying. The Siyom project is Run of the River project with peaking capability and envisage construction of concrete dam 155 m (approx) high above the river bed level, river diversion works comprising of diversion tunnels/culverts with upstream and down stream coffer dam, concrete lined Head Race Tunnel, steel line innercicularpressure shaft, power house complex and Tail Race Tunnel, etc. The project will generate about 3903 GWh design energy at 95% machine availability in a 90% dependable year. The project is located in very remote area at approx. 56 Km from the Along in West Sing District 3. Justification for locating the project in the forest area. 4. The project was awarded by Government of Arunachal Pradesh vide MoA dated 22.02.2006 for HEP development. The project is site specific and hence there is no question of other alternative for development of the project. The proposal involves Unclassified State Forests. The proposed project shall affect 1,24,295 trees including poles. The ruling crown density of the area is 0.4 to 0.5. The forest types belongs to the Tropical Semi Evergreen Forest of Eco-Class-I. The site for CA has been identified in the land bank available in Tawang Social Forestry Division (Equivalent i.e. 1502.30 ha or say 1503 ha area of degraded community Forest land in Bleteng village which is mutated in favor of the State Forest Department has been selected for CA). 5. The facts related to the proposal as contained in the State Government’s letter dated 22.01.2014 are given below in the form of fact sheet: FACT SHEET

1. Name of the Proposal Diversion of 1502.30 ha of forest land for construction of Siyom Hydro Electric Project (1000 MW) in favour of M/s Siyom Hydro Power Private Limited in West Siang District of Arunachal Pradesh.

2. Location

(i) State Arunachal Pradesh (ii) District West Siang 3. Particulars of Forests:

(i) Name of Forest Division and Along Forest Division, Forest area involved. 1502.30 ha

(ii) Legal status/Sy.No. Unclassified State Forest (USF)

(iii) Map SOI Toposheet - Pg-08/c Digital DGPS map- Not enclosed Forest Cover map- not enclosed. 10 Km radius DGPS map- not enclosed. Layout Map – Enclosed at Pg 9/c. 4. Topography of the area -

5. (i) Geology - (ii) Vulnerability to erosion The proposed area for diversion is not prone to erosion and the topography appears to b e fairly stable.

6. (i) Vegetation Hollock, Dhuna, Jutuli, Kuhir, Siris, Poma, Mekahi, Uriam, Hingori, Pichola, Moj, etc.

(ii) Density Dense Forest area: density 0.4 to 0.5 Forest type: Eco Class-I Tropical semi evergreen

(iii) No. of trees to be felled Regional Office, Shillong in its site inspection report has reported that total 1,24,385 number of trees above 30 cm girth have been enumerated in the forest area for diversion for the project. Detail of trees provided by the State Government is available at Pg 52-63/c. 7. Whether area is significant from No wildlife point of view

8. Whether forms part of National The proposed area does not form part of park, Wildlife Sanctuary, Biosphere National Park, Wildlife Sanctuary, Biosphere Reserve, Tiger Reserve, Elephant Reserve, Tiger Reserve, etc. Corridor, etc. (if so, details of the area and comments of the Chief Wildlife Warden 9. Whether any RET species of flora No rare/endangered species of flora & fauna and fauna are found in the area. If were found. Animal species found in the area so details thereof include Barking deer, Serow, Fly catcher, Sun Bird Barbet, Cutias Wood Peckers, Owls, Cuckoos, Squirrels, Monkey, Lizard, Fishing cat. 10. Approximate distance of the The distance of the proposed project site proposed site for diversion from from nearest boundary of forest is approx boundary of forest. 106 km from Mechuka St. R.F. The project area is approx 23 km from Dihang Dibang Biosphere Reserve, 30 km from Yorde Rabe Supse Wildlife Sanctuary and 18 km from Mouling National Park.

11. Whether any protected There is no protected archaeological/heritage archaeological/ heritage site/defense establishment in the proposed site/defence establishment or any area. other important monuments is located in the area.

12. Whether any work of in violation of No the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 has been carried out (Yes/No). If yes details of the same including period of work done, action taken on erring officials. Whether work in violation is still in progress.

13. Whether the requirement of forest Yes, the requirement of land is unavoidable land as proposed by the user agency and barest minimum. in col. 2 of Part-I is unavoidable and barest minimum for the project, if no recommended area item-wise with details of alternatives examined.

14. Whether clearance under the Yes Environment (protection) Act, 1986 is required?

15. Compensatory Afforestation

(i) Details of non-forest DFO, has submitted that non forest area area/degraded forest area for compensatory afforestation not identified. identified for CA, its distance from adjoining forest, number While State Government in its forwarding of patches, sixe of each letter mentioned that 1503.00 ha area of patches. degraded community forest land in Bleteng Village under Tawang Social Forestry Division mutated in favour of the department has been selected for C.A.

(ii) Map showing non- forest/degraded forest area identified for CA and adjoining forest boundaries. (iii) Detailed CA scheme including Yes species to be planted, implementing agency, time (pg-65-67/c) schedule, cost structure, etc. (iv) Total financial outlay for CA DFO, Aalo has submitted that total financial outlay for CA is Rs. 59,04,88,351.87/-. While State Government in its forwarding letter mentioned that total financial outlay for CA is Rs. 24,33,97,500/-.

(v) Certificate from the competent The concerned DFO has submitted a authority regarding suitability certificate stating that land identified for of the area identified for CA raising CA is suitable from management and from management point of point of view and also stated that some area view. falls under rocky area (Pg-72/c).

The Deputy Commissioner Tawang has also issued a certificate stating that land identified for CA is free from encumbrances.

16. Catchment Area Treatment Submitted (pg-22-49/c)

17. Specific detail of Hydel Project Not mentioned (viz. barrage details, Catchment details, etc.)

18. Rehabilitation of Oustees

(i) No of families involved Not mentioned (ii) Category of families Not mentioned (iii)Details of rehabilitation plan Not Submitted

Regional Office, Shillong has informed that about 209 families are getting affected due to acquisition of their land for project construction 19. Compliance of Scheduled Tribe and Not Submitted Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006

20. Cost Benefit Ratio 1:112 (Pg-10-12/c)

21. Total Cost of the Project The User agency in Part-I of Form A has mentioned that total cost of project is Rs. 8987.00 Crores as per DPR. However, the Regional Office, Shillong has mentioned that total cost of project is Rs. 12100 Crores at present.

22. Recommendation

i. DFO Recommended (pg-51/c) ii. CCF Recommended (pg-77/c) iii. Nodal Officer Recommended (pg-79/c) iv SG Recommended (pg-79/c) 23. District Profile

(i) Total Geographical area of the 5049 Sq. Km. district (ii) Total Forest area/Divisional 6719 Sq. KM. (As per state of Forest report Forest area FSI, 2009) West siang District includes Along & Likabali Forest Division.

(iii)Total area diverted 431.54 ha (14 number of cases) (iv) since 1980

(v) Total CA stipulated since 1980 a. Forest land including penal 1137.68 ha CA b. Non Forest Land ------(i) Progress of Compensatory Afforestation a. Forest land 657.238 ha b. Non Forest land ------

Recommendations by the authorities in the State Government:

1. Divisional Forest Officer, Aalo: The Siyom hydro electric project will augment the power supply of the region to a great extent and will generate income and employment for the local people. As Catchment area treatment plan has been submitted by the user agency for soil and moisture conservation, the cost of compensatory afforestation and net present value of the diverted Forest area shall be paid by the user agency, the proposal for diversion of Siyom hydro electric project may be accepted and is therefore recommended (Pg 51/c).

2. Specific recommendation of Chief Conservator of Forests for acceptance or otherwise of the proposal with detailed reasons. a) On Quarrying-There are quarry components (5 Nos) in the project, where forest lands are proposed to be diverted for quarry purposes. Looking at the quarry sites, which are mostly just adjacent to the existing roads, it is felt that the quarry sites are chosen solely on the basis of easy approach to the sites, not from the geological consideration. In the proposed submergence area, the rock formation should not be different from the proposed quarry sites, only there new roads need to be developed for approach to new quarry sites in submergence areas; so UA has proposed quarry sites adjacent to the existing BRO road. The geological formation may be studied properly for proper quarry materials from the areas coming under submergence (total area under submergence-1071.1 Ha which is very large and definitely bear good quarry material for construction purpose), than opening new areas for quarrying alongside the existing road. Finding new quarry sites in the submergence areas will reduce need for fresh forest areas and more forests will not be damaged. Operating quarry is nothing but extraction of aggregates, which is a mining activity. Any mining activity needs a mining closure plan. The project proposal does not speak of proper mine closure. b) Submergence of villages- Visiting the propose site, it was seen that few hamlets, one is namely Raying village, cultivation fields are coming under submergence, but the same has not been properly reflected in the diversion proposal form. The land break up, and cost benefit ratio etc. does not speak of submergence of village and cultivation fields. During the time of inspection it was found out the Raying village, which comprises of many houses and many cultivation fields, are coming under submergence. The UA should speak about the villages and cultivation areas that are coming under submergence. c) Submergence of BRO road-Part of the BRO road leading to Mechuka will be coming under submergence. And there is proposal for diversion of forest land form existing road alignment. The diversion of road proposal of road proposal, the work to be carried out by BRO, will involve further forests areas. d) As per the DPR Vol Chapter-13 at page-16, (Xerox copy enclosed) the Mouling National Park and Dihang Dibang Bio Sphere Reserve is coming within 5-7 Km from the reservoir periphery, but as per the DFO it is approximately 18 Km away. This distance needs to re-assessed by the UA and DFO and also the wildlife wing, and if it is within 10 Kms from the National Park, permission from NBWL is required. e) Accounting future requirement in forest & environmental sector- The project will be carried out in high altitude cold areas there is great threat to forest due to collection of firewood for heating and cooking purpose, also for construction of houses as most of the houses in high altitude areas use substantial volume of timber in construction. With improvement in the standard of living, and with influx of more people into the area, there will be much more stress around for firewood for heating purpose and also for timber, resulting in more degradation of forest areas around, leading to higher soil erosion in this kind of high rainfall areas, So, there should be more stress on preservation, protection and improvement of forest, for the long sustenance of the project. There might not be sufficient fund, for a long term, to ensure proper protection and improvement of forests as forestry sector projects are carried for a particular period; and after the completion of the forestry projects there is hardly any money left to account for the future degradation to take up unforeseen improvement works. To ensure regular fund flow for protection and improvement of forest and environment, it should be ensured that a particular portion of income generating out of the project is ploughed back to the forest sector; may be around 10% of royalty that is coming to the state from the scale of power be invested back into the forestry sector for maintenance, improvement and protection of forests, wildlife and environment. Out of the royalty that will flow back to the forestry sector, at least 10% of that amount should be invested in the areas around the project. f) The power developer should provide all assistance to the forest department in protection, improvement of forests by providing necessary logistics whenever required. g) The power developer should green all the available areas in the project area, as per the guidance of the forest department, after commissioning of the project. h) In all kind of CSR programs or any other program carried out by the power developer or by any other Govt. agency from the fund provided by the UA, the forest department should be consulted before implementation of such fund in the field as the areas is densely forested and the forest department has best expertise in preservation and improvement of forests. The advice of the forest department will help better implementation of the program. With this comments above, the proposal for diversion of 1502.30 Ha of forest land for siyom Hydro Electric Project (1000 MW) in West Siang of Arunachal Pradesh by M/s Reliance Energy Ltd. (Siyom Hydro Power Pvt. Ltd.) is recommended for approval because of the power need of the country and for the development of the state. 4. Nodal Officer, Arunachal Pradesh: Recommended for approval considering the power requirement of the State and the Country.

5. Principal Secretary, Government of Arunachal Pradesh: State Government recommends the clearance of the project under FCA with a view to harness hydro electric potential to augment power generation in the State for overall economic growth & development of the State/Country. The forest area sacrificed for the purpose shall be made good through compensatory afforestation.

SITE INSPECTION REPORT BY THE REGIONAL OFFICE, SHILLONG

BACKGROUND OF PROPOSAL

1. Ministry vide letter F.No.8-85/2014-FC dated 15th September, 2014 requested this Regional Office, Shillong, to carry out site inspection of the instant proposal. As the copy of the proposal was not enclosed to Regional Office, the same was asked from the Ministry as well the State Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh, vide Regional Office letter No. 8- 85/2014/1726-27 Dated 19.9.2014. In response to above; the State Govt. vide their letter FOR-301/Cons/20108052-53 dated 25th September, 2014 furnished a copy of the proposal to the Regional Office. 2. Prior to the site inspection the project proponent and the concerned field officers of the State Forest Department were called for power point presentation and discussion on 13.10.2014. 3. During the course of presentation and discussion it was pointed out the Dam height is mentioned as 155 m above bed level in the Form-A, Part-I of the proposal submitted, whereas in the presentation it was mentioned as 169 m above river bed level, accordingly the user agency were asked to rectify the issue. The User Agency was also informed to provide GPS co-ordinates of various project components to facilitate the site inspection. 4. As per the provision of FC Act 1980 and as desired by Ministry, site inspection of the proposed Forest land was conducted on 27th November, 2014 by Conservator of Forest Department and representatives of the Project Proponent consisting the following:-

a. Shri. R.L. Sanga, IFS, Conservator of Forest(C), MoEFCC, Shillong. b. Shri. Nyali Ete IFS, DFO, Along Forest Division, Government of Arunachal Pradesh. c. Shri. Ashwin Parihar, IFS (P), ACF, Along Forest Division, Government of Arunachal Pradesh. d. Ms. Martha Ratan, ACF(P), Along Forest Division Government of Arunachal Pradesh. e. Shri. H.S. Rathour, Vice President – Hydro Project, Reliance Power Limited. f. Shri. Manoj Pradhan, Addl. Vice President - Hydro Project, Reliance Power Limited. 5. The facts reported by the Regional Office, Shillong in their site inspection report are given as under: i. Legal status of the forest land proposed for diversion is USF. ii. Item wise break-up details of the forest land proposed for diversion.

Zone Description Area in Ha. No. 1 Reservoir submergence area including river bed. 1071.1

1A Muck disposal, quarry, construction facilities, Included in aggregate crushing plant, batching plant, submergence temporary stock pliles, temporary access / haulage area roads. 2 Rock Quarry 72.9 3 Rock Quarry 26.0 4 Rock Quarry 11.8 5 Dam area, power intake, Head Race Tunnel, 81.7 Pressure shaft, power house, tail race tunnel, construction facilities, batching plant crushing plant, temporary access / haulage roads 6 River bed, permanent bridge to power house, 16.2 temporary bridge to power house 7 Camps & offices, explosive magazine, workshop 93.7 & storage facilities for electro-mechanical & hydro-mechanical equipments including a portion of the permanent road realignment 8 Muck disposal area 54.9 9 Rock Quarry 63.5 9A Rock Quarry 10.5 Total Area 1502.30

iii. The proposal involves construction of buildings for the purpose of project site offices, quality control laboratory, workshop & storage sheds, firefighting etc. iv. Total cost of the project at present rates is Rs. 12100 Crores (including IDC& escalation, as per the concurred at Jan-2013 price level. v. With regards to wildlife, the regional office reported that as per information made available by the State Forest Officials and DFO Along Forest Division though the project area does not form part of any National Park, wildlife sanctuary, Biosphere Reserve, Tiger Reserve, Elephant Corridor etc. however ,as per list submitted by DFO Along Forest Division (Enclosed as annexure-V in the proposal), the following wildlife are found in the area: Barking deer, Serow, Fly catcher, Sun Bird Barbet, Cutias Wood Peekers, Owls, Cuckoos, Squirels, Monkey, lizard, Fishing cat etc. As the area involved is bearing good forest cover in certain patches therefore it is observed that the area will serve as good wildlife habitat. vi. With regards to venation, the regional office reported that as the project site is located on river Siyom near Raying village. The very steep rocky Hills are covered with turfing mosses, grasses, herbs, shrubs, bamboo and trees. The area is dominated by tropical semi-evergreen forests. The soil on the slopes is mainly composed of silt and support ground vegetation. About 1071.1 ha of land with forest cover is getting affected due to submergence. Majority of the species occurring in the submergence or in the other project area are widely distributed in the region and common. As per the State Forest Department, about 1, 24,295 numbers of trees above 30 cm girth have been enumerated in the forest area proposed for diversion for the project. About 34324 trees fall within 31- 60 cm girth class, 1428 trees fall within121-150 cm girth class, 10975 trees fall within 151-180 cm girth class and 20816 trees fall within 181-330 cm girth class. However, immediate felling of 83080 trees in 1071.13 ha. reservoir would not be resorted to. The major prevalent species are Hollock (Terminalia myriocarpa), Dhuna (Canarium spp), Jutuli (Altingia excels), Kuhir (Bridelia retusa), Siris (Albizzia lebbeck), Poma (Toona ciliate), Mekahi (Phoebe cooperiana), Uriam (Bischofia javanica), Hingori (Castamopsis indica), Pichola (Kydia calycina), Moj (Albizia lucida) etc vii. Abstract of enumeration: Total number of trees to be Total number of trees to be Grand total (Trees to be felled (below 60 cm girth felled (above 60 cm girth felled)

34324 89971 1,24,295

With regard to effect of removal of trees on the general ecosystem in the area, it is mentioned that removal of trees form the proposed area will shall have adverse impact on the general ecosystem of the area. The land is having precipitous slope therefore trees felling may cause soil erosion as well. viii. Compensatory afforestation:

a. As per the proposal submitted, an area of 1503 ha land in Tawang Social Forestry Division (Bleteng VFR) has been identified for CA against this proposed project.

b. (The site inspection of the proposed CA land was carried out by CCF (Central), Regional Office, Shillong, and therefore Report is prepared separately which is enclosed herewith along with photographs.)

c. Map and details of CA has been provided with the original proposal d. Total financial outlay. ix. No violation of Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 has been observed. x. About 209 families are getting affected due to acquisition of their land for project construction. However, the proposal does not involve displacement of affected families. The Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh has notified its Rehabilitation & Resettlement Policy 2008. It is informed that the project specific R&R plan has been framed by the User Agency considering NRRP 2007 and the State R&R policy and has been submitted to the State Govt. Compensation against diversion of un-classed state forest and the loss of customary rights is proposed for the tribal community. xi. Reclamation plan has not been submitted along with the proposal. xii. With regards to details on catchment and command area under the project. Catchment area treatment plan to prevent siltation of reservoir, it is reported that the river ecosystem originates in the mountainous terrain in Arunachal Pradesh. Directly draining catchment area of the river Siyom at the proposed Siyom dam site is stated to be 23887 ha (238.87 sq. km). The area is having mostly steep mountainous ranges deep narrow valleys and the river gradient has strong capacity for sediment transportation. The Catchment area Treatment (CAT) plan has been formulated for the free-draining catchment area covering an area of 23.887 ha and has been made part of EMP. The total estimated cost of catchment area treatment plan to be spent over a period of four years is Rs. 47,850 lakhs. All the costs towards the administration during the implementation work have been included in the cost estimates of CAT. The broad breakup of the cost of CAT plan I as under a. Preventive measures(Biological measure) : Rs. 315.20 Lakhs b. Engineering measures : Rs. 97.30 Lakhs c. Administrative expenditure : Rs. 20.60 Lakhs Total: : Rs. 478.5 Lakhs xiii. Cost benefit ratio- The Evaluation of Loss of Forest has been worked out as Rs. 762 Cross. The Evaluation of Benefit, notwithstanding with Loss of Forest has been worked out as Rs. 85340 Crores. The tentative ratio of Cost: Benefit works out to 1: 112. xiv. Recommendation of the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests/State Government - State Govt. recommends the clearance of the project under FAC with a view to harness hydro electric potential to augment power generation in the state for overall economic growth & development of state / country. The forest area sacrificed for the purpose shall be made good through compensation. xv. Regional Chief Conservator of Forest shall give detailed comments on whether there are any alternatives routes / alignment for locating the project on the non-forest land -This is a site specific project determined technically on several geological & hydrological parameters. Moreover, almost all the available land all about is either one or another category of forest therefore alternative is practically unavailable. xvi. Utility of the project. Numbers of Scheduled caste /Scheduled Tribes to be benefited by the project a) Project shall add power supply to local area as well as national grid. b) Enhancement of economic development of the state from the accruals from sale of fee power from the project. c) Creation of employment & business opportunities, improvement of road infrastructure, communication, health & medical facilities. d) Opening of banks, post offices. Entire Arunachal Pradesh is a tribal state. The tribal population in the nearby project area will be benefited by way of project development. xvii. Land being diverted has not any socio-cultural / religious value. xviii. No scared grove or very old growth trees / forests exist in the areas proposed for diversion. xix. Land under diversion does not form part of any unique eco-system. xx. Situation w.r.t. any P.A.- As per part-II of the proposal submitted, the project area is approximately 23 km from “Dihang Dibang Biosphere Reserve”, 30 km from “Yorde Rabe Supse Wildlife Sanctuary” and 18 km from “Mouling National Park”. As per the comments / report of the CCF, Central Arunachal Pradesh Circle, Pasighat, the distance of Mouling National Park and Dihang Dibang Biosphere from the periphery of the proposed reservoir is stated to be 5 to 7 km in the DPR Vol-I Chapter-13 at page-16 of the project. Hence this aerial distance from the nearest protected area, namely Mouling National Park and Dihang Dibang Biosphere Reserve from the Perihpery of the reservoir needs to be conformed, and if falls within 10 km distance, then approval from the Standing committee of NBWL has to be obtained, xxi. Any other information relating to the project. a) The Siyom Hydro – Electric Project is located on river Siyom near Raying village in West Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh. The geographic location of the project falls under Survey of India toposheet no.82L/10 & 82L/1 the project is about 56 km from along, the headquarters of West Siang District. The site is about 730 km from . The airports near the project area are at Dibrugarh and North Lakhimpur, both in . The nearest Broad Gauge rail head is at Nagaon, which is about 600 km from project site. The nearest Meter Gauge rail head is at Silapathar, which is 200 km from project site. b) The Siyom project with an installed capacity of 1000 MW comprises of 169 m high Concrete Gravity Dam (above river bed level), 3 diversion tunnels on river bank each of length approx. 830 m, 3 surface Penstocks and 6 Pressure Shafts and Surface Power house, Transformer Hall etc. c) The present proposal is for diversion of 1502.3 ha. of land (private land with forest cover) out of this about 107.1 ha is getting affected due to submergence. d) On river Siyom, 1000 MW Naying HEP is Immediate upstream of Siyom HEP and there is no hydro electric project downstream of Siyom HEP till confluence of river Siyom with river Siang (in approx. 50 km length). 6. Observations and comments of Regional Office i. The clarification sought by Regional office, Shillong, on the exact height of the Dam has been furnished by the Use Agency, wherein they have clarified that the project envisages construction of concrete dam 169m (approx) high above river bed level (Corrected copy of From – A: Part – I enclosed). GPS co-ordinates of various project components are also provided by the User Agency. ii. There are 5 no. of Quarry proposed in the project wherein a total area of 184.7 ha forest land is involved. Out of these 5 no. of quarry, 2 no. (Involving an area of 73.5 ha) are located downstream of the proposed Dam, and the remaining 3 no. (Involving an area of 110.7 ha) are located upstream Dam. As the geological formation of the submergence area should not be different from the proposed Quarry, hence efforts should be made by User agency to explore the possibilities of extracting rock materials from the submergence area (1071 ha instead of opening new areas for the Quarry, thereby significant forest land be avoided, iii. A location of Border Road (Taying to Mechuka) will be coming under the proposed submergence area, for which a proposal for diversion of forest land for re-alignment of the existing road stands submitted by the Border Roads Organisation to the DFO concerned. Hence additional diversion of forest land will be involved for the road. iv. As per the comments / report of the CCF, Central Arunachal Circle, Pasighat, the distance of Mouling National Park and Dihang Dibang Biosphere from the periphery of the proposed reservoir is stated to be 5 to 7 km in the DPR Vol –I Chapter -13 at Page – 16 of the project. Hence this aerial distance of the nearest Protected areas from the periphery of the reservoir needs to be confirmed, and if it falls within 10 km distance, then approval from the Standing Committee of NBWL has to be obtained. v. An area of 93.7 ha has been proposed by the User Agency for accommodating Camps & offices, explosive magazine, etc (Refer serial no. 7 under break-up of land requirement at Para2). This area involved being very large, hence efforts should be made by the User Agency to locate these components outside Forest land and to reduce the area requirement to the barest minimum. (Photographs of the project area enclosed). 7. Recommendations of Regional Chief Conservator of Forest along with details reasons. (i) Arunachal Pradesh is having a very dense forest cover of 13,182 sq. km, moderate dense forest 2074 sq. km and open forest of 9698 sq. km i.e. 43,554 sq. km within the Green – Wash (the extent of wooded area generally shown in light green colour on SOI- toposheet). a. The forest cover outside the Green – Wash is very dense forest which is 7646 sq. km, moderate dense forest 10740 sq. km and open forest of 5381 sq. km. i.e. 23,767 sq. km. The total forest cover in the State within the Green – Wash and outside the Green – Wash is 67,321 sq. km (FSI report 2013). These forest areas in the State of Arunachal Pradesh are considered as a hot spot of Bio-Diversity. (ii) The Siyom HEP is proposed to be setup in West Siang District of the State. As per the FSI report 2013, the District is having 2473 sq. km. very dense forest, 2717 sq. km. moderate dense forest and 1578 sq. km open forest i.e. 6768 forest area out of 7813 sq, km. of the District Geographical area. The percentage of forest area in the District is 86.2% (FSI report 2013). (iii) State Forest Department has stated that the proposed Siyom HEP is approximately 23 kms from Dihang Dibang Biosphere Reserve, 30 Kms from Yarde Rabe Supse Wildlife Sanctuary and 5 to 7 km from Mouling National Park. (iv) The Wildlife animal species present in these Wildlife Sanctuary and Un-classed Forest. The movement of these animals is not restricted to National Park/Wildlife Sanctuary but is crossed the adjacent forest area in the District. (v) The Forest Department has not conducted any survey to assess the affect of the Siyom HEP on the movement of the Wild animals in these forest area and the impact of the dam on the habitat of these animals. (vi) Removal of trees, shrubs and ground vegetation will effect the surrounding eco-system of the forest area. The construction of the dam will also affect the micro climate of the forest area surrounding it. (vii) There will be a rise in water temperature in the submergence area which will affect the aqua and micro aqua species in the river. (viii) The lower downstream water level will be gradually reduced by the construction of the dam which will affect aqua and micro aqua species. The water level in the downstream of the Siyom river will have to be maintained for the ecological balance of the aquatic fauna. (ix) The trees, shrubs, trees stumps etc. in the submergence area will have to be removed completely so that it will not be left to decompose which will gradually leads to the accumulation of methane gas causing Green House Effect. (x) Disaster Management plan is essential for this project as area of Arunachal Pradesh is categorized under Sensitive seismic Zoon. (xi) The User Agency and the Forest Department has recommended 93.7 ha of forest land for office building, residential building etc. the construction of residential building attracts para 4.5 of the FC Act, 1980, therefore the construction of such residential building will have to be in a non-forest land. The construction of buildings for maintenance of the HEP Project will have to be on need basis and it should be double or triple storied to minimize the use of the forest in the compact area so as to avoid isolated camps across the project area. (xii) The proposed forest area of 93.7 ha cannot be recommended for the use of building construction and the forest Department will have to reduce and revise the area required. Hence, proposal may be submitted for the consideration of the FAC, if agreed to.

(B.K. Singh) Director(FC) IGF(FC)