Kalai-II Dam Gets Forest Clearance — A Critically Endangered Bird in the Way

General Studies Paper 3 — Environment, Biodiversity, Energy
Source: Ministry of Environment / Forest Advisory Committee, 2026

1. What Happened

The Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) granted “in-principle” forest clearance to the 1,200 MW Kalai-II Hydroelectric Project on the Lohit River in Anjaw district, Arunachal Pradesh.

The project will divert 869 hectares of pristine forest, raising serious concern over the Critically Endangered White-bellied Heron, one of the rarest birds on Earth.

2. Development vs Ecology — The Core Tension

The Project

1,200 MW — Run-of-the-River with Pondage

The Ecological Cost

3. White-bellied Heron

• Scientific Name: Ardea insignis
• Habitat Requirement: Fast-flowing eastern Himalayan river rapids with low human disturbance; feeds mainly on fish.
• Any reduction in river flow or speed directly damages its feeding grounds.
• Ecological Role: Bio-indicator of healthy Himalayan freshwater ecosystems. Its decline signals water quality degradation and collapsing food chains.

Key Facts

4. Value Box — Key Institutions and Law

Forest Advisory Committee (FAC)

A statutory body under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 functioning under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).

It appraises proposals seeking diversion of forest land for non-forestry purposes such as dams, mines, roads and industries.

Run-of-the-River Project

A hydroelectric project that generates power using the natural flow of a river without large-scale water storage.

Such projects generally have smaller reservoirs (“pondage”) for daily regulation and are considered less ecologically damaging than large storage dams, though they still alter river flow.

Kamlang Tiger Reserve, Arunachal Pradesh

Located in Lohit district, Arunachal Pradesh. It adjoins Namdapha Tiger Reserve, together forming a continuous biodiversity corridor in the Eastern Himalayas.

The reserve contains documented habitat of the White-bellied Heron downstream of the project site.

Prelims Practice Question

Consider the following statements regarding the Kalai-II project and the White-bellied Heron:

1. The White-bellied Heron (Ardea insignis) is listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List and is placed under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, giving it the highest legal protection in India.
2. The Forest Advisory Committee grants forest clearances under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, and functions under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
3. If a state has forest cover exceeding two-thirds of its geographical area, compensatory afforestation for forest diversion projects in that state must mandatorily be carried out within the same state.

(a) 1 and 3 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 2 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Correct Answer: (c) 1 and 2 only