Lok Sabha Question No. 1555 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-08
Subject: Hydro-Power Projects
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Shrirang Appa Barne, SHIVAJI ADHALRAO PATIL, ANANDRAO  ADSUL, DHARMENDRA YADAV

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1555

TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.12.2015

## Hydro-Power Projects

## 1555.   SHRI  SHRIRANG APPA BARNE:

SHRI ADHALRAO PATIL SHIVAJIRAO:

SHRI ANANDRAO ADSUL:

SHRI DHARMENDRA YADAV:

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

- (a) whether  the  Union  Government  has  studied  the  long-term  environmental  impact  of  the hydro-power projects;
- (b) if so, the details and outcome thereof;
- (c) whether hydroelectric projects are causing pollution in water bodies in the downstream and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether the Government has issued direction to control pollution caused by hydroelectric projects in the downstream;
- (e) if so, the response of the State Governments thereon, State-wise; and
- (f) the  action  taken  by  the  Union  Government  to  control  pollution  caused  by  hydroelectric projects in the rivers?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## (SHRI PRAKASH JAVADEKAR)

(a) & (b) The Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2006 provides detailed  procedure  of  appraising  various  developmental  projects  including  Hydropower projects proposals for granting environment clearance. EIA notification mandates conducting of detailed environmental impact assessment study to assess and predict impacts of a project on environment. Accordingly, environment management plan (EMP) is prepared and evaluated to mitigate  the  environmental  impacts.  As  far  as  hydropower  projects  are  concerned,  they  are broadly categorised as under:

- Category A -  Hydropower projects having capacity more than 50 MW, considered at Central Level.
- Category B - Hydropower projects having capacity more than 25 MW and less than 50 MW, considered at the State Level.
- Hydropower  projects  with  proximity  to  National  Park/Sanctuary,  Biosphere  Reserve and/or projects situated within 10 km of inter-state/international boundaries also require similar environment clearance from the Union Government.
- The  Government  has  also  undertaken  a  separate  study  to  assess  impacts  caused  by existing and under construction hydropower projects in the upper reaches of Ganga in Uttarakhand.  Besides,  the  Ministry  has  now  begun  undertaking  carrying  capacity  and cumulative impact assessment study of river/river basin to optimally determine hydropower  projects  with  their  location  and  size  keeping  in  view  the  environmental carrying capacity of a river /river basin.

As per  the  outcome  of  the  appraisal  and  recommendations  of  the  EAC,  these  proposals  are processed  for  granting  environment  clearance  as  per  the  provisions  stipulated  under  the Environment Impact Assessment Notification, 2006 and it's  amendment from time to time.

(c ) to (f) Hydroelectric power projects may cause adverse environmental impact and to mitigate such impact on riverine biodiversity,  terrestrial biodiversity and water quality of river; necessary  measures  are  prescribed  as  per  EIA  study.  Accordingly,  an  appropriate  EMP  is prepared  which  is  evaluated  by  a  designated  Expert  Appraisal  Committee  (EAC)  for  River Valley & Hydroelectric Projects. The EAC recommends environmental safeguard measures to mitigate the adverse impacts. These measures are stipulated in the environmental clearance for compliance by the project proponents. Compliance of environmental safeguard conditions is monitored  regularly  through  the  Regional  Offices  of  Ministry  of  Environment,  Forest  & Climate  Change  and  State  Pollution  Control  Boards.  Government  issues  directions  and  take penal  actions  by  exercising  power  under  Environment  (Protection)  Act,  1986  in  case  of violation of the prescribed conditions by the project proponents

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