Regulatory frameworks can complement the Environment Impact Assessment studies in achieving responsible growth. Environment-friendly hydro-power development can be promoted through this welcome synergy
In a country that is faced by acute power shortage, hydroelectric power is fast gaining ground in fulfilling the demand-supply gap. Aided by favourable policies at the national and the State levels, this form of renewable energy is showing significant promise, considering that only 16 per cent of the hydro potential of the country has been used so far. The enthusiastic participation of the private sector and renewed Government focus have lent much needed momentum to the projects. But this rapid hydro-power development needs to be socially and environmentally responsible.
At a time when fossil fuels are being criticised for their polluting attributes, hydro-power development has always provided a stable and sustainable alternative, and its importance has been growing over the years. In fact, by the end of the fourth year of the Eleventh Five Year Plan (March 2011), hydro-power had contributed around 22 per cent of total generation. Yet with a total installed capacity of 229GW, hydro- power is still unable to keep pace with the rapid increase in thermal power generation. But this may change soon.
The 12th Five Year Plan envisages a 25,316MW of hydro-power generation as compared to 8,237 MW in the 11th plan period. In fact, the ambitious aim is to harness the entire hydro-power potential of India by 2027. This sudden spurt in according priority to hydro-power is in keeping with the global trend. For instance, 98 per cent of renewable energy in the United States is generated out of hydro-power with wind and solar accounting for the other two per cent. Amid a rapidly deteriorating climatic conditions, a power-generating alternative that leaves a smaller carbon footprint than thermal power generation is invaluable. However, the ambitious plans for hydro-power development need to account for the fragile environmental systems within which the projects are constructed and the social systems and population that the projects affect directly or indirectly. In many instances, such as the Three Gorges Dam in China, entire communities have had to be relocated to make way for reservoirs of the project.
In addition to impacting communities, the hydro-power projects can have a detrimental impact on a river’s ecosystem and habitats too. Besides this the flooding of land for a hydro-power reservoir presents a multiple challenge for the environment as it destroys forests, wildlife habitat and agricultural land. The reservoirs impact wildlife to a significant extent, as the water is usually more stagnant than normal river water. As a result, the reservoir will have higher than normal amounts of sediments and nutrients, which can cultivate an excess of algae and other aquatic weeds. These weeds can crowd out other river animal and plant-life.
In addition, reservoir water is typically low in dissolved oxygen and colder than normal river water. When this water is released, it could have negative impacts on downstream plants and animals. To mitigate these impacts, aerating turbines can be installed to increase dissolved oxygen and multi-level water intakes can help ensure that water released from the reservoir comes from all levels of the reservoir, rather than just the bottom which is the coldest and has the lowest dissolved oxygen.
A 360 degree planned project execution that takes into account all stakeholders is an absolute must in order to mitigate the negative aspects of a hydro-power project. The impact of un-planned and ill-conceived project implementation is evident in Uttarakhand wherein the hydro-power projects have degraded the environmental stability and may have contributed in a significant manner to the tragic floods.
The comprehensive project planning and execution would be greatly helped if effective Environment Impact Assessments are conducted. In order to maximise the benefits of a hydro-power project for the environment and the local communities, the EIA should comprise a more robust public interaction that goes beyond mere public hearings. Over the past few years the EIA coverage has increased, but the number of projects that were subjected to compliance monitoring has decreased. Thus, the coverage of EIA follow up has consistently declined over the years. A decline in compliance- monitoring is not a good sign because it hides the rising risk of local opposition. Hence, for a ‘responsible’ hydro-power development the strengthening of EIA follow up is crucial.
Additionally, regulatory framework can complement the EIA in achieving responsible growth. For instance, the mandatory business responsibility reports to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Board of India and statutes like the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in land Acquisition and Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013, could open up new arenas through which socially and environmentally responsible hydro-power development can be promoted.