Why is it in the news?
→ Environmental clearance for the 1,200-MW Kalai-II project raised concerns over omissions in EIA regarding the critically endangered White-bellied Heron.
→ The project’s impacts on Lohit River ecosystems are under scrutiny.
Category: Environment
Important Points
- White-bellied Heron (Ardea insignis) is the world’s 2nd-largest heron; IUCN status: Critically Endangered; Schedule-I under WPA, 1972.
- Fewer than 60 individuals survive globally; Bhutan hosts ~45% with 3–5 breeding pairs.
- Species depend on fast-flowing eastern Himalayan rivers; highly sensitive to dams and altered flows.
- In India found in Arunachal Pradesh (Lohit, Anjaw, Changlang); sightings along entire Lohit River.
- Major threats: hydropower dams, habitat loss, hunting, anthropogenic disturbance, small gene pool.
- Kalai-II is a 1,200 MW run-of-river project with pondage on Lohit River, Anjaw district.
- Project developed by THDC India Limited; revived in 2023–24 and reassigned among 13 stalled projects.
- Lohit River originates in Kangri Karpo range (eastern Tibet), joins Siang and Dibang to form Brahmaputra.
- The river flows through Kamlang and Mehao Wildlife Sanctuaries.