Approval Granted for Naying Hydro Electric Project Amid Protests in Arunachal Pradesh

The Naying Hydro Electric Project has gained approval from the Union Environment Ministry's forest advisory committee, despite ongoing protests against the Siang Upper Multipurpose Project in Arunachal Pradesh. This new hydroelectric initiative, which will impact significant forest land and local communities, has raised concerns among Indigenous groups regarding their rights and environmental preservation. As tensions rise, the implications of this project on wildlife and local livelihoods remain a critical point of discussion. The situation continues to evolve as stakeholders voice their concerns over the future of the region's natural resources and cultural heritage.

By Narendra Chaudhary Nov 10, 2026, 11:03 IST

Naying Hydro Electric Project Receives Key Approval

A representational image of a hydro project (Photo: @YRiba1 / X)

New Delhi, Nov 10: Protests continue in Arunachal Pradesh against the 11,200-MW Siang Upper Multipurpose Project, while the Union Environment Ministry’s forest advisory committee (FAC) has approved the 1,000-MW Naying Hydro Electric Project on the Siyom river, a tributary of the Siang river.

This new project, managed by North Eastern Electric Power Corporation Limited, will be constructed in the Shi Yomi and Siang districts of Arunachal Pradesh. It is expected to lead to the diversion of approximately 470 hectares of 'unclassed forest' land and the removal of over 100,000 trees.

Unclassed forest refers to areas recognized as forest but not categorized as reserved or protected. The ownership of such forests can differ from one state to another.

According to the FAC meeting minutes from October 23, the proposed site for the Naying Hydro Electric Project is located within a high conservation value (HCV) zone, indicating that the forest land slated for diversion includes very dense patches of forest.

During the meeting, the committee recommended granting stage-I (in-principle) approval for the diversion of forest land. This initial clearance comes with conditions, including the requirement for compensatory afforestation, which must be met before stage-II formal approval can be issued.

This development occurs amidst escalating tensions surrounding the Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP), with Indigenous communities asserting that its construction threatens their ancestral lands, river systems, livelihoods, cultural heritage, and territorial rights.

Recently, Tagori Mize, a spokesperson for the Siang Indigenous Farmers’ Forum (SIFF), which is leading the protests against SUMP, reported that over 3,000 paramilitary personnel have been deployed across East Siang, Siang, and Upper Siang districts.

Mize emphasized that local communities and landowners were not consulted about the proposed dam project, stating, “Unlawful methods are being employed to secure majority consent, with signatures obtained through misleading tactics.”

The approval for the Naying Hydro Electric Project could further complicate the situation in the region.

This project involves constructing a concrete gravity dam that will rise 138 meters from its deepest foundation level, impacting more than 400 families and 12 villages.

Additionally, the forest land required for the project is situated 9.71 km from the Yorde-Rabe Supse Wildlife Sanctuary and 19.55 km from the Mouling Wildlife Sanctuary.

The site inspection report highlighted that Arunachal Pradesh is home to many Schedule I & II species, including numerous endangered and endemic species. The hydropower project is expected to disrupt the habitats of various wildlife, with the increased submerged area likely hindering the migration of animals across the riverbanks.