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AGENDA ITEM NO. 2

F. No. 8-20/2013-FC

1. The State Government of vide their letter No. FOR.326/CONS/2010/391-97 dated 19.02.2013 submitted a fresh proposal seeking prior approval of the Central Government under Section-2 of the Forest (COnservatin) Act, 1980 for diversion of 108.937 ha. (2.16 ha in Dibang Forest Division and 106.77 7 ha in Lohit Forest Division) in favour of M/s Power Grid Corp. of Ltd. for laying of 132KV S/C Transmission Line from to Tezu in Lower Dibang Valley and Lohit Districts of Arunachal Pradesh. 2. Proposal envisage establishment of a power transmission network system associated with the projects i.e. Gas Based Power Projects (GBPP), being implemented by the ONGC and Tripura Power Company Limited through a SPV set up for the purpose, for uninterrupted distribution of power among the constituent States of North Eastern Region. The Generation project is located at Pallatana, Udaipur in South Tripura District and would convert gas to power and deliver the power to the constituent States including ONGC. 3. The transmission line will connect sub-station in East with Roing Sub-Station in Lower Dibang District and further to Tezu and Namsai sub stations in Lohit Districts. The transmission line will pass through the Reserved Forests Area/USF in Pasighat Forest Division and Dibang Forest Division. 4. The facts related to the proposal as contained in the State Government’s letter dated 19.02.2013 are given below in the form of factsheet:

FACT SHEET

1. Name of the Proposal Diversion of 108.937 ha. (2.16 ha in Dibang Forest Division, and 106.77 7 ha in Lohit Forest Division) in favour of M/s Power Grid Corp. of India Ltd. for laying of 132KV S/C Transmission Line from Roing to Tezu in Lower Dibang Valley and Lohit Districts of Arunachal Pradesh. 2. Location (i) State Arunachal Pradesh (ii) District a) Lower Dibang Valley b) Lohit

3. Particulars of Forests: (i) Name of Forest Division a) Dibang Forest Division – 2.16 ha and Forest area involved. b) Lohit Forest Division, Tezu – 106.777 ha

(ii) Legal status/Sy.No. a) Dibang Forest Division Unclassified State Forest

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b) Lohit Forest Division Reserved Forests i. Digaru RF:- 74.657 ii. Tebang RF:- 2.521 iii. Udiomajam RF:- 24.329 iv. Tafragam ARF:- 5.270

(iii) Map 1. Survey of India Toposheet – enclosed. a) Dibang Forest Division, Roing – Pg 7/c b) Lohit Forest Division, Tezu – 50-52/c 2. Forest Cover Map – Not enclosed 3. DGPS map – Not enclosed. 4. 10 Km radius Map – not enclosed 4. Topography of the area -

5. (i) Geology (ii) Vulnerability to erosion a) Dibang Forest Division – not vulnerable to erosion b) Lohit Forest Division, Tezu – Not vulnerable to erosion

6. (i) Vegetation Dibang Forest Division:- Sissoo, Hollock, Borpat, Hatpolia, Samkathal, Urium, Outenga, Dewasali, Gohora.

Lohit Forest Division:- Bola, Sissoo, Hollock, Gamari, Khair, Ajhar, Amari, Sam, Bogipoma, Borpat, Gonsoroi, Siris, Hatipoila, Poma/J/Poma, Bon-Am, Khokan, Koroi, Dhuna, Moj, Jutuli, Sopa, Mekahi, Pichola, Uriam, Simul, Banderdima, Udal, Jamuk, Jiapoma, Kadam, Paroli, Owtenga, Bogori, Satiana, Amora, Bon- bogori, G/Neem, Amsoi, Dimoru, Baramthuri, Samkathal

(ii) Density a) Dibang Forest Division The required forest area is considered as dense/ very dense forest with a density of 0.8 And ECO CLASS = 1

b) Lohit Forest Division – 0.1 to 0.4 i. Digaru RF:- 0.4 ii. Tebang RF:- 0.3 iii. Udiomajam RF:- 0.1 iv. Tafragam ARF:- 0.2

(iii) No. of trees to be felled Dibang Forest Division, Roing Below 60 cm – 3 trees Above 60 cm – 123 tree 6

Lohit Forest Division, Tezu 12020 trees including 5081 poles 7. Whether area is significant - from wildlife point of view 8. Whether forms part of National a) Dibang Forest Division, Roing – No park, Wildlife Sanctuary, b) Lohit Forest Division, Tezu – No Biosphere Reserve, Tiger Reserve, Elephant Corridor, etc. (if so, details of the area and comments of the Chief Wildlife Warden 9. Whether any RET species of a) Dibang Forest Division, Roing – not sighted flora and fauna are found in the b) Lohit Forest Division, Tezu – No area. If so details thereof 10. Approximate distance of the a) Dibang Forest Division, Roing – the proposed site for diversion from proposed line is passing through the boundary of forest. unclassified State Forest b) Lohit Forest Division, Tezu – Passing along the inside boundaries of the RF/ ARF With a varying distance of 50 mtrs to 1.00 Kms 11. Whether any protected a) Dibang Forest Division, Roing – No archaeological/ heritage b) Lohit Forest Division, Tezu – No site/defence establishment or any other important monuments is located in the area. 12. Whether any work of in a) Dibang Forest Division, Roing – No violation of the Forest b) Lohit Forest Division, Tezu – No (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 a) Dibang Forest Division, Roing – Yes forest land as proposed by the b) Lohit Forest Division, Tezu – Yes user agency 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 No Environment (protection) Act, 1986 is required? 15. Compensatory Afforestation CA has been proposed over double degraded forest land (i) Details of non-forest a) Dibang Forest Division area/degraded forest area An area of 5.00 Hectares is identified in identified for CA, its one patch, in degraded forest of Dibang 7

distance from adjoining RF in compartment No 231 (p) under forest, number of patches, Dambuk Forest Range. size of each patches. b) Lohit Forest Division 214.00 Hects of degraded forest land identified in Tafragam ARF which is in Three patches. (ii) Map showing non- a) Dibang Forest Division, Roing – Yes (26/c) forest/degraded forest area b) Lohit Forest Division, Tezu – Yes (79/c) identified for CA and adjoining forest boundaries. (iii) Detailed CA scheme a) Dibang Forest Division including species to be CA scheme of Rs. 4,56,200 for an area of 5 ha planted, implementing has been enclosed (Pg 29-30/c). agency, time schedule, cost b) Lohit Forest Division structure, etc. CA scheme of Rs. 3,03,85,000 over an area of 214 ha has been enclosed (Pg 75-77/c). (iv) Total financial outlay for Part-II of the Form A mentions following CA financial outlay for CA a) Dibang Forest Division Financial outlay for CA under Dibang Forest Division will be Rs. 19,78,292/- (Rupees Nineteen Lakh Seventy Eight Thousand Two Hundred Ninety Two) only

b) Lohit Forest Division 2,99,94,100.00

(v) Certificate from the a) DFO, Dibang Forest Division has competent authority certified that land identified for CA is regarding suitability of the suitable for plantation and management area identified for CA and point of view (pg 28/c). from management point of b) DFO Lohit Forest Division, Tezu has view. certified that land identified for CA is suitable for plantation and management point of view (Pg 80/c). c)

16. Catchment Area Treatment NA

17. Rehabilitation of Oustees NA

a) No of families involved Not applicable. b) Category of families Not applicable. c) Details of rehabilitation Not applicable. plan

18. Cost Benefit Ratio Dibang Forest Division:- NA. Lohit Forest Division:- 19:1 19. Total Cost of the Project Rs. 51.57 crore 8

20. Recommendation All have recommended the project i. DFO Yes (Pg 18, 72/c) ii. CCF Yes (35, 108/c) iii. Nodal Officer Yes (pg 111/c) iv SG Yes (Pg 111/c) 21. District Profile

(i) Total Geographical area of Lower Dibang District – 3900 Sq Km the district Lohit Forest Division - Not mentioned

(ii) Total Forest area/Divisional (a) Dibang Forest Divison - 1536.41 Sq Km Forest area i. RF area = 719.61 ii. = 281.50 Sq Km iii. USF/ CF (Under Working Scheme) = 535.30 Sq Km (b) Lohit Forest Division - 1598.00 Sq. Kms. i. RF:- 630.429 Sq. Kms ii. ARF:- 99.84 Sq. Kms iii. PRF Area:-90.00 Sq. Kms iv. Rest area:- 777.731 Sq. Kms

(iii) Total area diverted (a) Dibang Forest Division:- 26.0 Hectare in one since 1980 case (Koronu-Paya-B-Nagar Road) (b) Lohit Forest Division:- 9 (Nine) Cases – 1016.5329 Hects.

(iv) Total CA stipulated since 1980 (Forest land) (a) Dibang Forest Division i. Forest land - 622 Ha ii. Non-forest land- nil iii. Penal CA - Nil (b) Lohit Forest Division i. Forest land – 1392.2479 ha ii. Non-forest land- nil iii. Penal CA - Nil

(v) Progress of (a) Dibang Forest Division Compensatory i. Forest land - 622 Ha Afforestation as on date ii. Non-forest land- nil iii. Penal CA - Nil (b) Lohit Forest Division:- Hects i. Forest land – 1315.90 ha ii. Non-forest land- nil iii. Penal CA - Nil

22. Specific recommendations of Dibang Forest Division:- Recommended for the DCF for acceptance or acceptance as the Diversion of Forest Land is the 9

otherwise of the proposal with barest minimum and is for evacuation Arunachal reasons Pradesh’s share of power generated from Power plant implemented by ONGC Tripura Power Company Limited, Pallatana & Bongaigaon TPS implemented by NTPC Ltd for supply to this part of Arunachal Pradesh where there is acute shortage of power.

Lohit Forest Division:- The proposal can be accepted keeping the topography, soil types, climate, land use and vegetation as well as the socio-economic position of the local inhabitants of the area who belongs to Scheduled Tribes of Arunachal Pradesh. The North Eastern Region is most economically backward states due to its remoteness and lack of infra structure, the developmental works are very poor. Due to construction of the proposed transmission line, augmentation of power supply will boost the industry, trade and commerce, education and eco tourism.

5. The State Government has recommended the proposal without any specific recommendations, the State Government has further mentioned that the project do not have adverse comments on the proposal has been given by the any of the assessment officer. No effect on any stream, sea, water body, or forest eco-system and bio-diversity is anticipated as on date. 6. The project proponent has submitted undertaking to bear the cost of CA and NPV. 7. The project proponent has submitted a certificate issued by the District Collector in support of settlement of rights under the Schedule Tribe and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 8. Recommendation of the Regional APCCF(C) :

This is a project which is of public interest which would facilitate power supply to the remote areas of Arunachal Pradesh. The proposal is hereby recommended. However, as observed by the inspecting team, the proposed area for compensatory afforestation for Lodhi Forest Division being located in a flood prone area, the State Government should explore alternative sites for C.A.

A comparative statement of three alternative transmission routes was submitted by the User Agency where in two alternatives were rejected on the ground of financial non-viability and likelihood of more pristine forests with steep slopes prone to erosion which were rejected after consultation with the State Forest Department.

However, the routes of these alternatives have not been depicted in the maps for which User Agency may be asked to submit. 10

Site Inspection Report Background note on the proposal:

This is the proposal for diversion of 108.937 ha of forest land for laying of 132KV Single Circuit Transmission line from Roing to Tezu in Lower Dibang Valley and Lohit Districts of Arunachal Pradesh by M/s Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd and submitted to the Government of India by Government of Arunachal vide letter No.FOR.326/CONS/2010/391/97 Dated 19th Feb.2013, a copy of which has been endorsed to this Regional Office Shillong. This transmission line is a part of 132 KV Pasighat-Namsai transmission line which will connect Pasighat sub- station with Roing sub-station and further to Tezu and Namsai sub- station.

1. Legal status of the forest land proposed for diversion. a) Dibang Forest Division, Roing :Unclassified State Forest area (U.S.F) b) Lohit Forest Division:Digaru RF, Tebang RF, Udiomajam RF, Tafragam ARF. 2. Item wise break-up details of the forest land proposed for diversion. a) Dibang Forest Division, Roing: 2.16 ha Sl. Section of Type Total Section Right Hectarage Area No the line of Nos. of length of way (Ha) Forest towers land to be erected 1 Angle USF 2 801mtr 27 mtr (801x27)/10000 2.16 Point(AP) 6 to AP 9 TOTAL 801 mtr 2.16

b) Lohit Forest Division:106.777 ha Sl. Section of Name of RF Section Right of Hectarage Area No the line length way (Ha) 1 LOC 47/0 to Digaru RF 27651mtrs 27 mtr (27651x27)/10000 74.657 LOC 79/0 2 LOC 79/0 to Tebang RF 934mtrs 27 mtr (934x27)/10000 2.521 LOC 80/0 3 LOC 80/0 to Udiomajang 8103mtrs 27 mtr (8103x27)/10000 21.878 LOC 91/0 RF 4 LOC 91/1 to Udiomajang 908mtrs 27 mtr (908x27)/10000 2.451 LOC 94/0 RF 5 LOC 102/0 Tafragam 1952mtrs 27mtr (1952x27)/10000 5.270 to LOC ARF 106A & DE TOTAL 39,548m 106.777

3. Whether proposal involves any construction of buildings (including residential) or not. If yes details thereof. No construction or any building etcis involved. 11

4. Total cost of the project at present rates. The total cost of the project is approximately Rs 57crore.

5. Wildlife Whether forest area proposed for diversion is important from wildlife point of view or not.

The area proposed for the line transmission is not significantly important from Wildlife point of view

6. Vegetation (a) Total number of trees to be felled. Dibang Forest Division, Roing: During inspection it is seen that total enumeration of trees for the whole 27 meters ROW has been carried out and marked in the field in which 26 numbers of trees have been found. However actual number of trees to be felled will be restricted to 3 metre below each conductor and 15x15 metre area required for each tower foundation.

Total number of trees to Total number of trees to Grand total (Trees to be be actually felled (below be actually felled( above actually felled) 60 CM girth) 60 CM girth) 1 NO 6 NOS 7 NOS (Calculation details as provided by U/A enclosed)

Lohit Forest Division: As stated above, here too enumeration was done for the whole ROW wherein a total of 12020 trees were enumerated, but trees to be actually felled are as under:

Total number of trees to Total number of trees to Grand Total (Trees to be be actually felled (below be actually felled (above actually felled) 60 CM girth) 60 CM girth) 1251 NOS 1798 NOS 3049 NOS (Calculation details as provided by U/A enclosed)

Effect of removal of trees on the general ecosystem in the area.

No significance adverse effect on the general forest eco system is anticipated due to this felling as it shall be restricted to only a 3 metre strip below each conductor and for the foundation of the towers. Moreover it is expected that after felling natural regeneration will come up profusely once the tower is erected. Further considering the hilly terrain where the towers arepositioned at elevated points the middle valley areas are expected to be spared from felling, except lopping where ever required.

Important species: There are some timber yielding species like Terminaliamyriocarpa, Toonaciliata, Albizziaprocera,etc, within the enumerated area. However, as stated above, the actual felling of trees shall be restricted to 3 12

metres width and for the tower foundations, hence the occurrence of these species shall be sporadic.

7. Background note on the proposal. As given in the introduction above.

8. Compensatory afforestation: The following degraded forest land have been identified by the State Government for taking up compensatory afforestation over double the area proposed to be diverted in both the division

District Name Range Block Compartment Area Financial of No in Ha outlay forest (in Rs) division Lower Dibang - Degraded 231(PT) 5.0 4,56,200 Dibang Forest forestland Valley Division in Dibang RF Lohit Lohit - Tafragam Plot –I-60 214.0 3,03,85,000 Forest AFR (P),53(P),45(P) Division and 46 (P) Plot-II-46 (P), 39(P), 30(P) and 24(P) Plot- III-45 (P) and 40(P)

Whether land for compensatory afforestation is suitable from plantation and management point of view or not.

Due to time constraint and problems of accessibility, physical verification of the proposed CA site could not be undertaken.

In the case of Lohit Forest Division the land proposed for CA are in the bank/river islands of river Lohit which would likely be affected by flood during the monsoon. It is felt that State Government should propose alternative site for CA land in view of the frequent occurrence of flood in the area.

Whether land for compensatory afforestation is free from encroachments/other incumbencies.

As reported by the State Government the land is free from encroachment and encumbrances

Whether land for compensatory afforestation is important from Religious/Archaeological point of view. 13

The land identified is reported to have no significance from religious and archaeological point of view.

Land Identified for compensatory afforestation is in how many patches, whether patches are compact or not.

As per the map submitted, the proposed CA in respect of Dibang Forest Division is in a single patch of 5 ha, whereas in respect of Lohit Forest Division the proposed CA area are located in 3 (three) patches.

Map with details.

Submitted in SOI toposheet along with the proposal.

Total financial outlay.

Dibang Forest Division: Rs. 4,56,200.00

Lohit Forest Division: Rs.3,03,85,000.00

9. Whether proposal involves violation of Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 or not. If yes, a detailed report on violation including action taken against the concerned officials. No violation of FC Act 1980 is reported by State Government nor observed during the course of inspection.

10. Whether proposal involves rehabilitation of displaced persons. If yes, whether rehabilitation plan has been prepared by the State Government or not. No rehabilitation is involved in this proposal.

11. Reclamation plan: Not Required.

12. Detail on catchment and command area under the project. Catchment area treatment plan to prevent siltation of reservoir. Not applicable.

13. Cost benefit ratio. Cost benefit ratio as provided by User Agency in the proposal are as under:

Dibang Forest Division: The area being small, not applicable

Lohit Forest Division: 19:1

14. Recommendations of the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests/State Government. The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests - Cum -Principal Secretary (forests)to the Government of Arunachal Pradesh has recommended the proposal for acceptance which is given in Part V of the submitted proposal. 14

15. Recommendations of Regional Chief Conservator of Forests along with detailed reasons. Given under para 8 above.

16. Regional Chief Conservator of Forests shall give detailed comments on whether there are any alternatives routes/alignment for locating the project on the non- forest land. Already given above under para 8 above.

17. Utility of the project. The 132 KV single circuit transmission line from Roingto Tezuwill serve as a stable and reliable source of power for the remote districts of Arunachal Pradesh where sizable population exists. As of now these areas do face power scarcity/unavailability which comes in the way of development and progress.

Numbers of Scheduled caste/Scheduled Tribe to be benefited by the project.

The whole ST/SC population of the districtsof Lower Dibang Valley, Dibang Valley, East Siang and Lohit will be benefitted directly or indirectly by the project.

18. Whether land being diverted has any socio-cultural/religious value. The land being diverted in both Dibangand LohitForest Division is reported to have no socio-cultural/religious Value.

Whether any scared grove or very old growth trees/forests exists in the areas proposed for diversion.

No such sacred grove or very old growth trees/forests were reported.

Whether the land under diversion forms part of any unique eco-system.

It cannot be denied that the whole of the state of Arunachal Pradesh is very significant from biodiversity presence and threat. However, no unique eco-system is reported to exist in the land being diverted in both Dibangand LohitForest Division for the instant proposal.

19. Situation w.r.t. any P.A. A part of the transmission line coming under Dibang Forest Division passes at approximately 35 mt from Mehao Wildlife Sanctuary where as in the case of Lohit Forest Division the distance from the sanctuary is more than 10 km.

20. Any other information relating to the project. 1) During the course of the inspection sample checking of angle points (AP) were carried out at Tower no 72 (Digaru RF, Lohit FD) and 65 (PayaRF ,Lohit FD) and tower no 8/0 (Meka USF, Dibang FD) and the GPS co-ordinates checked in the field matched with those given in the proposals. 2) In the sample area checked, it is also observed that total enumeration of trees for the whole 27metres right of way width has been carried out and marked in the field with oil paint (yellow cross) marks. 15

3) Alternative routes have been explored by the User Agency and the write-up of the same has been submitted in the proposal. However the routes of these alternatives have not been depicted in the maps for which User Agency may be asked to submit. 4) Photographs of area inspected are enclosed as annexure.

In view of the above facts related to the proposal, the file is submitted for further directions for submission of the proposal to FAC. ****