Hydropower Projects in Limbo: 9-Year Wait for Forest Clearance
India’s ambitious clean energy goals are facing a significant roadblock. The Parliamentary Committee for Public Undertakings has sounded the alarm on the inordinate delays in granting forest land clearance for national hydropower projects. The average time taken for forest clearance in under-construction projects of the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) has been a staggering 106 months, equivalent to nearly nine years.
The Bottleneck: Gram Sabha Consent
The Forest Rights Act, 2006, requires 100 per cent consent from village panchayats for stage-II forest clearance. This has emerged as the single-most critical bottleneck, delaying projects such as the 520 MW Teesta-IV HEP in North Sikkim indefinitely. The committee has recommended a change in the consent requirement to a reasonable super majority of 70 per cent. This change is expected to ease the process and bring much-needed momentum to India’s hydropower sector.
NHPC’s Clean Energy Ambitions
The NHPC is uniquely positioned to lead India’s clean energy transition, with an exploitable hydropower potential of approximately 1,33,000 MW. However, only about 44,000 MW (barely one-third) has been developed so far, government data shows. The NHPC has urged the government to reconsider the 100 per cent consent requirement, citing international benchmarks from Brazil, Australia, and New Zealand. They have recommended that FRA processes be initiated at the pre-feasibility stage to streamline the clearance process.
A Glimmer of Hope in Arunachal Pradesh
While the delays in forest land clearance continue to plague the hydropower sector, there is a glimmer of hope in Arunachal Pradesh. The Ministry of Power has acknowledged the challenge and noted that the Government of Arunachal Pradesh has been actively supportive in resolving clearance delays. This cooperation is a welcome development, and it is hoped that it will set a precedent for other states to follow.
A Call to Action
The Parliamentary Committee’s report is a wake-up call for the government to take immediate action to address the delays in forest land clearance. The committee’s recommendation to change the consent requirement to a 70 per cent super majority is a pragmatic solution that balances the interests of all stakeholders. It is time for the government to take a fresh look at the Forest Rights Act and implement reforms that will unlock India’s hydropower potential and help the country achieve its clean energy goals.
The Human Cost of Delay
The delay in forest land clearance is not just a technical issue; it has real-life consequences for the people of India. The inordinate delays in project implementation mean that thousands of people who depend on these projects for their livelihoods are left in uncertainty. The committee’s report highlights the need for a more streamlined and efficient process that balances the interests of all stakeholders. It is time for the government to take action and ensure that India’s hydropower sector is able to contribute to the country’s clean energy goals.