What Does the Naying Hydro Electric Project Mean for Arunachal Pradesh's Indigenous Communities?

The Naying Hydro Electric Project in Arunachal Pradesh has received approval from the Union Environment Ministry, leading to significant environmental changes, including the cutting of over 100,000 trees. This project, which will generate 1,000 MW of power, has raised concerns among Indigenous communities about its impact on their ancestral lands and livelihoods. With the project situated in a high conservation value zone, the implications for local ecosystems are profound. As tensions rise, the situation highlights the need for proper consultation with affected communities. Discover more about the project's potential effects and the ongoing protests against it.

By Narendra Chaudhary Nov 9, 2026, 22:49 IST

Major Environmental Changes Ahead in Arunachal Pradesh

New Delhi: The Union Environment Ministry's forest advisory committee (FAC) has approved the Naying Hydro Electric Project, which will lead to the removal of over 100,000 trees and the diversion of approximately 470 hectares of unclassified forest land. This project, which will generate 1,000 MW of power, is set to be constructed on the Siyom River, a tributary of the Siyang River, in Arunachal Pradesh. This decision comes amidst growing concerns from Indigenous communities regarding the Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP), which they argue threatens their ancestral lands, cultural heritage, and livelihoods.

The Naying Hydro Electric Project will be managed by the North Eastern Electric Power Corporation Limited and will impact the Shi Yomi and Siang districts. The unclassified forest land involved is categorized as forest but does not fall under reserved or protected status, with ownership varying by state. Notably, the project area is situated within a high conservation value zone, indicating that the forest land slated for diversion includes dense forest patches. The FAC's meeting on October 23 resulted in a recommendation for stage-I (in-principle) approval for the forest land diversion, which includes conditions for compensatory afforestation that must be met before stage-II approval can be granted.

Recently, Tagori Mize, a representative of the Siang Indigenous Farmers’ Forum (SIFF), highlighted that over 3,000 paramilitary personnel have been deployed across East Siang, Siang, and Upper Siang districts. He expressed concerns that local communities and landowners were not adequately informed or consulted about the dam project. Mize stated, "Unlawful methods are being employed to secure majority consent, with signatures obtained through misleading tactics." This situation raises fears that the recent approval for the Naying Hydro Electric Project could further escalate tensions in the area, affecting over 400 families and 12 villages due to the construction of a 138-meter-high concrete gravity dam.

The environmental impact assessment (EIA) for the project indicated that while commercial fishing is not prevalent, local villagers occasionally fish using various nets. Surveys have identified 20 fish species in the river and its tributaries. Additionally, the forest land designated for diversion is located 9.71 km from the Yorde-Rabe Supse Wildlife Sanctuary and 19.55 km from the Mouling Wildlife Sanctuary.