Lok Sabha Question No. 1024 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-29
Subject: Environment Impact Assessment of Hydropower Projects
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Shri Vishaldada Prakashbapu Patil

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1024

TO BE ANSWERED ON 29.07.2024

## Environment Impact Assessment of Hydropower Projects

## 1024.  SHRI VISHALDADA PRAKASHBAPU PATIL :

Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to state:

- (a) the  reasons  for  granting  preliminary  approvals  to  three  large  hydropower  projects  in Ecologically Sensitive  Areas  of  the  Western  Ghats,  despite  existing regulations prohibiting such projects;
- (b) whether the Government's interpretation of the December 2013 office memo over the legally  binding  November 2013 directions  under  the  Environment  Protection  Act has been reviewed for its legal validity;
- (c) the measures taken by the Government to protect wildlife corridors, endemic species and old-growth forests in the proposed project areas;
- (d) whether any independent Environmental Impact Assessments have been conducted for these projects; and
- (e) the  steps  being  taken  to  balance  renewable  energy  goals  with  the  preservation  of ecologically sensitive areas like the Western Ghats?

## ANSWER

MINISTER  OF  STATE  IN  THE  MINISTRY  OF  ENVIRONMENT,  FOREST  AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)

(a)  to  (e):    As  per  the  Office  Memorandum  (OM)  No.  1-4/2012-RE  (Pt.)  dated  20 th December,  2013  issued by Ministry of  Environment, Forest  and  Climate  Change (MoEF&CC),  construction  of  hydropower  projects,  being  a  relatively  clean  source  of energy, was recommended to be allowed in the Western Ghats Eco-Sensitive Area (WG ESA) by the High Level Working Group on Western Ghats subject to stringent conditions. This OM has been issued based on the High Level Working Group Report on WG ESA and the OM dated 16 th  November, 2013 was accordingly withdrawn.

The MoEF&CC is implementing a number of schemes for conservation of forest, wildlife and environment in the country including in the Western Ghats region.

These include; amongst others, the National Afforestation Programme, Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitat, Forest Fire Prevention and Management, Project Tiger and National Mission. Prior to giving Environmental Clearance to the hydropower projects including those  located  in  Western  Ghats  region, a  detailed  area  specific  Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) in accordance with the provisions of the EIA Notification, 2006, as amended is carried out. The EIA and the Environment Management Plan (EMP) are duly appraised by the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) of the Ministry comprising domain experts to appraise the possible environmental impacts and its management on the basis of which  decision  regarding  grant  of  Environmental  Clearance  or  otherwise  is  taken.  The Environmental Clearance so granted includes General and Specific conditions based on the Appraisal  carried  out  by  EAC,  which  are  to  be  adhered  to  by  the  concerned  Project Proponent.

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