Lower Subansiri

Hydroelectric Power
Project and future of the
Subansiri
River Ecosystem
INTRODUCTION
Subansiri River originates in Tibet (see Figure A) and is the
major right bank tributary of Brahmaputra traversing
through Arunachal Pradesh. There are six major river
basins in Arunachal Pradesh viz. Kameng, Subansiri, Siang
(Dihang), Dibang, Lohit and Tirap with large number of
their tributaries draining the waters of vast catchment area
into the Brahmaputra (see Figure B).
Subansiri River offers phenomenal hydropower potential
due to topographical conditions accompanied with rainfall
in its catchment ensuring significant discharge in the river
throughout the year.
Figure A: Drainage Map of Subansiri River from its Origin in Tibet up to
confluence with Brahmaputra
Figure B: Administrative Map of Arunachal Pradesh showing districts and
different River Basins
SCOPE OF THE PROJECT
DATA COLLECTION
• Meteorology : Study on the meteorological aspects like rainfall,
temperature wind, humidity etc in the area.
• Water Resources:
1. Review of drainage characteristics of the basin
2. Data collection and review of past studies/reports
3. Review of existing water sharing agreements
4. Analysis of water availability
5. Estimation od sediment load
• Water Quality: Study of water quality
• Flora:
1. Characterisation of forest types
2. General vegetation pattern
3. Presence of important species
SCOPE OF THE PROJECT
• Fauna:
1. Inventory of Birds , land animals , fishes.
2. Presence of endemic faunal species in the basin area
3. Presence of National Park, Sanctuary etc
• Aquatic Flora And Fauna:
1. Presence of major fish species
2. Presence of major breeding and spawning sites
3. Migratory route of fishes
4. Population density and diversities of phytoplankton,
zooplanktons, benthos, macrophytes , macro invertebrates
• Impacts Due To Hydro Power Development
1. Modification in hydrologic regime due to diversion of water
2. Depth of water available in river stretches during different
seasons
3. Impact on water availability and Quality
SCOPE OF THE PROJECT
4. Impact due to loss of forests
5. Impacts due to increased human interferences
6. Impact due to agricultural practices
OUTCOME OF THE PROJECT
The key outcomes of the study should be to:
• Provide sustainable and optimal ways of hydropower
development of Subansiri river, keeping in view of the
environmental setting of the basin.
• Assess requirement of environmental flow during lean season
with actual flow, depth and velocity at different levels.
• Downstream impacts on Assam due to hydropower
development in Subansiri basin in Arunachal Pradesh
THANK YOU