Explanation:

Explanation

Context-The Centre has recommended a biodiversity study of the proposed 3,097 MW Etalin Hydroelectric Project in Arunachal Pradesh by a credible international institute since the current environmental impact assessment was found to be “completely inadequate”.

Background

• The Etalin Hydro Electric Power Company Ltd is a joint venture of Jindal Power Ltd and the Hydro Power Development Corporation of Arunachal Pradesh Ltd, a state government-owned enterprise.
• It envisages construction of two dams—a 101.5 metre high dam on the Dir river near Yuron village and a 80-metre high dam on Tangon river. The Dri and Tangon rivers are tributaries of Dibang. An underground powerhouse is proposed with 10 units of 307MW each.
• Etalin, a run-of-the-river project that will need little water storage, will be one of the biggest hydropower projects in India in terms of installed capacity
• The project was first identified in 2003 and was granted Terms of Reference (ToRs) by the environment ministry in 2009. ToRs are guidelines for conducting green assessments of projects, based on which the ministry grants or rejects green clearanc
• An expert panel of the environment ministry has given the green clearance for the 3,097 mega-watt (MW) Etalin hydropower project in Arunachal Pradesh.