Safety first: Why reconsider hydropower in fragile Arunachal

By Wangchuk Tsering* 

The mountains of Arunachal Pradesh are not empty spaces waiting to be transformed into reservoirs, tunnels, and concrete structures. They are living landscapes—home to indigenous communities, ancient forests, sacred rivers, and generations of people whose identities are deeply connected to the land. Today, many communities across the state live with growing anxiety as large hydropower projects continue to move forward in one of the most fragile ecological regions on Earth. 

The promise of electricity and economic growth is often highlighted, but the risks faced by ordinary citizens—unstable slopes, changing river systems, displacement, and threats to traditional livelihoods—deserve equal attention. The government must reconsider the rapid expansion of hydropower projects in Arunachal Pradesh and declare a moratorium on new dam construction until a comprehensive, independent review of environmental, geological, and social risks is completed. This is not a rejection of development. It is a demand for responsible development that places human safety above short-term targets.

The Himalayas are young, active, and geologically unstable. Arunachal Pradesh lies in one of the most earthquake-prone regions of the country, where steep mountains, intense rainfall, landslides, and changing climate conditions create complex risks. In such a landscape, infrastructure cannot be built with the assumption that nature will simply adjust. Rivers cannot be treated as industrial resources alone, and mountains cannot be viewed merely as foundations for concrete. 

The growing concern over “tofu-dreg” infrastructure—the construction of projects that may fail because of poor planning, inadequate safeguards, or excessive haste—reflects a deeper fear among communities: that they may be forced to bear the consequences of decisions made far away from their homes. When roads collapse, slopes weaken, or rivers are altered, the first victims are rarely those who approve projects. They are ordinary families living closest to the construction sites.

The people of Arunachal Pradesh have every right to demand better roads, healthcare, education, communication, and economic opportunities. But development that creates insecurity cannot be called progress. For indigenous communities, land is not simply property. A river valley is not just a location for a dam. Forests, rivers, and mountains are part of cultural memory, spiritual practice, and community survival. A compensation package cannot replace a lost homeland. 

A new settlement cannot fully restore a displaced community’s relationship with its ancestral environment. Before any further hydropower expansion, the government must listen seriously to the concerns of affected communities and recognise that environmental protection is inseparable from human rights.

The government should immediately halt ongoing hydropower construction in ecologically and socially sensitive areas until independent safety reviews are completed, suspend approval of new dam projects in Arunachal Pradesh until cumulative impacts on entire river basins are properly assessed, conduct transparent geological and seismic studies involving independent experts, local communities, and scientific institutions, review whether existing environmental assessment processes are adequate for Himalayan conditions, and prioritise smaller, safer, and community-centred energy solutions where appropriate. A temporary halt is not an obstacle to development. It is a responsible step to prevent irreversible damage.

Many residents are not opposed to progress; they are asking to be treated as partners rather than passive recipients of decisions. Development decisions affecting ancestral lands and fragile ecosystems must include meaningful participation from local communities. Traditional knowledge accumulated over generations should not be ignored in favour of purely technical calculations. 

The government’s responsibility is not only to generate power but also to protect citizens. Economic gains cannot justify placing thousands of families in a state of uncertainty about whether their homes, farms, and rivers will remain safe.

The Himalayas have endured for millions of years, but human mistakes can damage ecosystems within decades. 

Once a river is permanently altered, a forest submerged, or a community displaced, restoration may be impossible. 

Arunachal Pradesh stands at a critical crossroads. The choice is not between development and no development. The choice is between a model of development that respects people and nature, and one that risks leaving behind damaged landscapes and broken communities. The government must act with caution and courage. It must place the safety of Arunachal Pradesh’s people above ambitious construction targets. The first duty of any development policy is simple: protect the lives and homes of the people it claims to serve. Before building more dams, let us ensure that the foundations beneath existing communities are secure. 

Before transforming the rivers, let us protect the people who have lived beside them for generations. Arunachal Pradesh needs development—but it needs development that allows its mountains, rivers, and people to survive together.

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*Contact: wtsering41@gmail.com