Why locals are protesting against the Upper Siang hydropower project in Arunachal Pradesh

• Two anti-dam activists from Arunachal Pradesh were put in preventive detention ahead of Union Power Minister visit to the state

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

• The Indian government is planning a massive dam project on the Siang River, a major tributary of the Brahmaputra.
• This Upper Siang Multipurpose Storage Project, led by the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation, aims to generate a huge amount of electricity (11,000 MW) but faces several challenges.
• Displaced communities: The dam could flood villages and force more than 100,000 members of the Adi tribe to relocate, affecting their way of life and traditional lands.
• Environmental worries: Experts are concerned that the project could disrupt the ecology of the region, especially considering the area's vulnerability to earthquakes and potential for worse flooding.
• Approval concerns: Recent changes to forest laws have raised worries that environmental clearances might be rushed, leading to stronger opposition from local communities and environmental groups.

PRELIMS TAKEAWAY

• The Forest (Conservation) Amendment Act (FCAA) of 2023