Alternative assessment as a crucial factor for Environmental Impact Assessment of HydroElectric projects in India and influence of NEPA on domestic legislations

1. 7th ICSD CONFERENCE,ROME, ITALY
SEPTEMBER 2019
The No-Alternative Scenario to Alternatives under
NEPA.
Kalpana Murari
India

2. Primary concern for Rivers
Anthropogenic changes in world’s
great rivers
and
Geographical concerns
Stemming natural flow/against nature

3. Large-scale damming over the last
few decades.
Environmental impacts on flow of
the rivers, sediment yields,ecology
patterns.
Morphing geopolitical equations
with economic, political,socio-
cultural consequences

4. Lack of accurate and actionable data on
hydrological impacts on river basins
Sand mining on river banks
River bank instability
Downstream mineral sediment starvation
due to trapping behind dams
Land subsidence/Tectonic movements
Ex:Arsenic contamination in the
groundwaters of the Ganges

5. Carbon emissions from dams
Alternative to concrete
Hydropower management strategies
In-stream turbines
Nations with coastlines to consider wave energy
Research and innovation

6. Useful links to further reading
https://www.theguardian.com/cities/series/guardian-concrete-week
https://www.theigc.org/blog/water-power-mega-dams-mega-damage/
https://www.internationalrivers.org/

7. Thank the audience for their time
and attention.