Lower Subansiri Hydroelectric Power Project and future of the Subansiri River Ecosystem

The 2000 MW Lower Subansiri Hydroelectric Power Pro ject, proposed to come up at Gerukamukh, Assam pose a real threat to the freshwater biodiversity of the d ownstream of Subansiri river basin by the regulatio n of the river through diversion, impoundment and reducing water dto the downstream. This paper reports on t he present biodiversity status of the Subansiri river along with the loopholes of the Environment Impact Assessment of this hydroelectric project prepared by the Water an d Power Consultancy Services (WAPCOS) and the ongoi ng violations of environment and forest laws by the Na tional Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) durin g the different phases of construction of this hydroelect ric project.