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P LANNING P ARADIGM
dams in Arunachal Pradesh are not free
of controversies. The major controversies
are: the adverse ecological impact, dis-
placement and migration challenges, and
rights of the indigenous people. Besides,
confl ict between the upper riparian Arunachal
Pradesh and lower riparian Assam
over the right of the river since many of
the rivers on those dams are constructed
ultimately drains down to the river Brahmaputra.
The issue of interstate confl ict
over water also attracts importance as apprehensions
prevail about provocation of
ethnic confl icts. Fear also aggravates due
to the existence of fragile relationship
among various ethnic groups of the region.
Looking at the scenario the questions
those arise are: — is it worth building
dams? Will dams really bring
development? At this backdrop the case
of Arunachal Pradesh is presented to
understand the major challenges and issues
a state might encounter while constructing
a dam and the precautions it
should take while planning for dams
which will contribute in overcoming controversies
and saving both time and
money. Controversies have been factors
for delaying dam project which increases
the project cost.
Introducing Arunachal Pradesh
Arunachal Pradesh the Himalayan state
in the North Eastern (NE) India attained
statehood in February 20, 1987. The state
has a population of 1,091,117 with a density
of 13 persons per square kilometer is
lowest in the country. It covers a territory
of 83,734 square kilometer making it the
biggest state in terms of geography in the
NE region. The state has a long international
border with Bhutan in the West
(160 km), China in the North and Northeast
(1,080km) and Myanmar in the east
132 THE IIPM THINK TANK
AP registered a high population
growth of 36.8% in (1981-91) higher
than the all India growth rate of 23.6%
(440 km). The state receives a 300 centimeters
of yearly rainfall and has 51,480 of
forest cover. The road communication is
very poor in the state. Only 15,356 kilometers
for 100 square kilometer compared
with 47.27 kilometers at the national level.
There are 16 districts, 57 Community
Development Blocks 3649 villages. Most
of the villages become inaccessible in
rainy and winter sessions. 868,429 are
rural population and 222,668 urban population,
63.65 schedule tribes, literacy rate
54.7 percent (2001 Census Report), male
population 64.07 percent, female 44.24
percent. Arunachal Pradesh registered a
high population growth of 36.8 percent in
(1981-91) higher than the all India growth
rate of 23.6 percent.
The state's economy is predominantly
agricultural. The shifting cultivation
known as Jhuming, occupies the central
position in Arunachal Pradesh in the fi eld
of Agriculture. However, traditional practice
of Jhum cultivation is slowly diminishing.
The state is also rich in forest resources
and forest products are the next
most signifi cant sector of economy. Arunachal
is also ideal for horticulture and
fruit orchards. The state is also rich in
minerals like dolomite, graphitie, coal,
YelloOrche, Marble. The state is trailing
behind in industrial development. But
with the socio-economic development
there have been rise in the expectation of
the people and the youth today are reluctant
to take up the traditional ways of
employments. This impinges upon the
government the need to look for alternative
ways of employment. Hence the state
is in desperate need for enhancing its industrial
growth.
The topography of the state of Arunachal
Pradesh shows a distinct pattern.
Nestled in the high mountains the state is
characterized by a hilly terrain interspersed
with rivers and valleys. There are
10 major river basins in the state including:
1) Tawang 2) Kameng 3) Dikring 4)
Subanriri 5) Siang 6) Sisiri 7) Dibang 8)
Lohit 9) Torap-Dehing and 10) Tissa.
Besides there are numerous rivers originating
from these basins and ultimately
drain to Brahmaputra. These river basins
have identifi ed to be ideal for generation
of hydropower. The state wants to utilize
its potential and transform hydropower
production as its fl agship industry to lift
the economy of the state.
Arunachal Pradesh has drafted a Hydropower
policy with the ambitious plan
of constructing nearly 100 dams to exploit
its hydropower potential. Accordingly the
state has signed Memorandum of Understanding
(MoU) with both public and private
companies. The major public sector
companies are like - NEEPCOLtb, NHPC,
NTPC(Hydro)Ltd and private companies
include- GMR Energy and Jayprakash
Associates. The state plans to produce
30,00 MW of hydropower in 10 years. The
major projects those are currently been
executed in the state are Ranganadi
Project, the Subansiri project and the Tohal
Project. The state is not only planning to
sell the power domestically but also eyeing
markets in neighbouring countries. The
state feels that it would be fl oating in “hydro
dollars” as popularly said that the