Dibang Hydel Project

Syllabus: General Studies Paper 3

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has dismissed the case it took up suo motu on the grant of forest clearance for the 3000-MW Dibang hydel project without meeting the precondition of declaring a national park.

The National Green Tribunal(NGT) is a dedicated tribunal to deal with matters relating to the environment. The NGT website even mentions that the tribunal has cleared 90% of the cases. But a close look will reveal the tribunal’s mandate to protect the environment is not yet fulfilled.

About Dihang-Dibang Biosphere Reserve 

• The Biosphere Reserve constitutes an area of 5112 Sq. Km in the district of West Siang, Upper Siang and Dibang valley of Arunachal Pradesh.
• Due to the steep terrain combined with difficult weather as well as the lack of communication, the area has a very sparse human population. 
• The approximately 10,000 people who live here are primarily of the Adi, Buddhist and Mishmi tribes with ten sub tribes including the Paris, Padams, Karkos, Pangis, Simongs, Ashings, Tangrams.

Flora

• The vegetation varies according to habitat. 
• Various factors like climatic, edaphic and biotic factors attribute the condition of forming such habitat.he BR has an altitude range from 500 to 6000 mtr and a major factor in determining the plant community. 

The type of vegetation can such be grouped as 

• Subtropical broad leafed forests. 
• Subtropical pine forest. 
• Temperate broad leaved forests. 
• Temperate conifer.
•  Sub-alpine woody shrub. 
• Alpine meadow (Mountain tundra)  

Endemic Flora: Tree fern, Begonia, Lady’s slipper orchid 

Fauna: Endemic Fauna: Red panda, Himalayan black bear, Green pit viper, Takin 

Protected areas: 

• Mouling National Park 
• Dibang Wildlife Sanctuary 

About the National Green Tribunal (NGT)

• National Green Tribunal (NGT) is a quasi-judicial body established on October 18, 2010. 
• It was established under the National Green Tribunal Act 2010 to handle environment-related disputes.
• India is the third country following Australia and New Zealand to have such a system.
• The Mandate of NGT is to dispose of the cases related to the environment in an effective and efficient manner.
• New Delhi is the Principal Place of Sitting of the Tribunal and Bhopal, Pune, Kolkata, and Chennai shall be the other four place of sitting of the Tribunal. 

The NGT handles cases related to,

• Environmental protection
• Environmental clearances for projects by the government are covered under the jurisdiction of NGT.
• Conservation of forests and other natural resources.
• Enforcement of any legal right relating to the environment.

Relief and compensation for damages to persons and properties.