Module 5 Conservation of Natural Resources

CONSERVATION OF NATURAL RESOURCES

MODULE - 5
Global warming: concept, indicators, factors and effects. Global climate change-indicators,
health impacts, effect on biodiversity. Introduction to global efforts in conservation of
biodiversity.
EIA: Regulations in India, status of EIA in India, list of projects needing environmental
clearance under EIA notifications. Case study of hydro power/ thermal power projects.

Global Warming
Global warming:
 Global warming is a gradual increase in the earth’s temperature generally due to the
greenhouse effect caused by increased levels of carbon dioxide, CFCs such as Methane and
Nitrous oxide and other pollutants.
 This phenomenon has been observed since the pre-industrial period due to human activities,
primarily fossil fuel burning, which increases heat-trapping greenhouse gas levels in Earth’s
atmosphere.
 This change has disturbed the climatic pattern of the earth and precipitation levels.
 It is most commonly measured as the average increase in Earth’s global surface temperature.
 There are several causes of global warming, which have a negative effect on humans, plants
and animals.
 The ‘Greenhouse Effect,’ as it is commonly known, is one of the principal causes of global
warming.
Indicators:
These indicators of global warming (see figure 1 below) include:
1. Arctic sea ice extent is diminishing.
2. Ocean heat content is increasing.
3. Air temperature over ocean is increasing.
4. Sea surface temperature is increasing.
5. Global sea level is rising.
6. Humidity is increasing.

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7. Temperature of the lower atmosphere is increasing.

8. Air temperature over land is increasing.
9. Snow cover is reduced, and snow is melting earlier
10. Glaciers are melting

Figure 1 Indicators of a warming world

Causes of Global Warming:

Following are the major causes of global warming:
1. Man-made Causes of Global Warming:
a) Higher levels of Deforestation:
Plants are the main source of oxygen. They take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen
thereby maintaining environmental balance. Forests are being depleted for many domestic
and commercial purposes. This has led to an environmental imbalance, thereby giving rise
to global warming.

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b) Transportation and Use of Vehicles:

The use of vehicles, even for a very short distance results in various gaseous emissions.
Vehicles burn fossil fuels which emit a large amount of carbon dioxide and other toxins into
the atmosphere resulting in a temperature increase.
c) Emissions of Chlorofluorocarbon:
With the excessive use of air conditioners and refrigerators, humans have been adding CFCs
into the environment which affects the atmospheric ozone layer.
d) Emissions from industries and power plants:
Global warming has increased as a result of the development of industrialisation and the
growing use of electricity and heat.
e) Agriculture:
Various farming activities produce carbon dioxide and methane gas. These add to the
greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and increase the temperature of the earth.
f) Overpopulation:
An increase in population means more people breathing. This leads to an increase in the
level of carbon dioxide, the primary gas causing global warming, in the atmosphere.
2. Natural Causes of Global Warming:
a) Volcanoes:
Volcanoes are one of the largest natural contributors to global warming. The ash and smoke
emitted during volcanic eruptions goes out into the atmosphere and affects the climate.
b) Water Vapour:
Water vapour is a kind of greenhouse gas. Due to the increase in the earth’s temperature,
more water gets evaporated from the water bodies and stays in the atmosphere adding to
global warming.
c) Melting Permafrost:
Permafrost is frozen soil that has environmental gases trapped in it for several years and is
present below Earth’s surface. It is present in glaciers. As the permafrost melts, it releases
the gases back into the atmosphere, increasing Earth’s temperature.
d) Forest Blazes:
Forest blazes or forest fires emit a large amount of carbon-containing smoke. These gases
are released into the atmosphere and increase the earth’s temperature resulting in global

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warming.
e) Solar activities:
Changes in solar irradiance in wavelengths, as well as other fluctuations such as solar flares
or sunspots, might have a massive impact on global warming and atmospheric temperatures
if they are large enough.

Effects of Global Warming:

Following are the major effects of global warming:
a) Rise in temperature leading to ice melt:
In the mid-latitudes, melting glaciers and snowmelt will result in severe water shortages
and droughts, with increased frequency, giving way to heat waves and extreme weather
extremes. As the ice in the northern seas melts, the atmospheric conditions will become
more difficult to control.
b) The threat to marine life:
Underwater, global warming has the potential to destroy marine and coral life. Carbon
dioxide levels in the ocean are rising, causing damage to precious natural resources.
c) Health factors:
Due to global warming, insufficient rainfall that leads to desertification can potentially
cause a variety of diseases.
d) High Mortality Rates:
Due to an increase in floods, tsunamis and other natural calamities, the average death toll
usually increases.
e) Loss of Natural Habitat:
A global shift in the climate leads to the loss of habitats of several plants and animals. In
this case, the animals need to migrate from their natural habitat and many of them even
become extinct. This is yet another major impact of global warming on biodiversity.
f) Spread of Diseases:
Global warming leads to a change in the patterns of heat and humidity. This has led to the
movement of mosquitoes that carry and spread diseases.
g) Climate Change:
Global warming has led to a change in climatic conditions. There are droughts at some

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places and floods at some. This climatic imbalance is the result of global warming.

Global Climate Change:

 Climate change is a long-term change in the average weather patterns that have come to
define Earth’s local, regional and global climates.
 These changes may be natural, such as through variations in the solar cycle. But since the
1800s, human activities have been the main driver of climate change, primarily due to burning
fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas.
 Burning fossil fuels generates greenhouse gas emissions.
 Examples of greenhouse gas emissions that are causing climate change include carbon dioxide
and methane.

Indicators:
Some of the indicators of Global Climate Change are:
1. Air temperatures over land are increasing
2. Air temperatures over oceans are increasing
3. Arctic sea ice is decreasing
4. Glaciers are melting
5. Sea levels are rising
6. Humidity is increasing
7. Ocean heat content is increasing
8. Sea surface temperature is increasing
9. Snow is decreasing
10. Earth’s lower atmosphere temperature is increasing

Causes of Climate Change:

1. Generating power:
Generating electricity and heat by burning fossil fuels causes a large chunk of global emissions.
Most electricity is still generated by burning coal, oil, or gas, which produces carbon dioxide and
nitrous oxide.
2. Manufacturing goods:
Manufacturing and industry produce emissions, mostly from burning fossil fuels to produce

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energy for making things like cement, iron, steel, electronics, plastics, clothes, and other goods.
Mining and other industrial processes also release gases, as does the construction industry.
3. Cutting down forests:
Cutting down forests to create farms or pastures, or for other reasons, causes emissions, since
trees, when they are cut, release the carbon they have been storing. Since forests absorb carbon
dioxide, destroying them also limits nature’s ability to keep emissions out of the atmosphere.
4. Using transportation:
Most cars, trucks, ships, and planes run on fossil fuels. That makes transportation a major
contributor of greenhouse gases, especially carbon-dioxide emissions.
5. Producing food:
Producing food causes emissions of carbon dioxide, methane, and other greenhouse gases in
various ways, including through deforestation and clearing of land for agriculture and grazing,
digestion by cows and sheep, the production and use of fertilizers and manure for growing crops,
and the use of energy to run farm equipment or fishing boats, usually with fossil fuels.
6. Powering buildings:
Globally, residential and commercial buildings consume over half of all electricity. As they
continue to draw on coal, oil, and natural gas for heating and cooling, they emit significant
quantities of greenhouse gas emissions.

Effects of Climate Change:

1. Hotter temperatures:
As greenhouse gas concentrations rise, so does the global surface temperature. Higher
temperatures increase heat-related illnesses and make working outdoors more difficult. Wildfires
start more easily and spread more rapidly when conditions are hotter.
2. More severe storms:
Destructive storms have become more intense and more frequent in many regions. As
temperatures rise, more moisture evaporates, which exacerbates extreme rainfall and flooding,
causing more destructive storms. The frequency and extent of tropical storms is also affected by
the warming ocean.
3. Increased drought:
Climate change is changing water availability, making it scarcer in more regions. Global

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warming exacerbates water shortages in already water-stressed regions and is leading to an

increased risk of agricultural droughts affecting crops, and ecological droughts increasing the
vulnerability of ecosystems. Droughts can also stir destructive sand and dust storms that can
move billions of tons of sand across continents.
4. A warming, rising ocean:
As the ocean warms, its volume increases since water expands as it gets warmer. Melting ice
sheets also cause sea levels to rise, threatening coastal and island communities. In addition, the
ocean absorbs carbon dioxide, keeping it from the atmosphere. But more carbon dioxide makes
the ocean more acidic, which endangers marine life and coral reefs.
5. Loss of species:
Climate change poses risks to the survival of species on land and in the ocean. These risks
increase as temperatures climb. Exacerbated by climate change, the world is losing species.
Forest fires, extreme weather, and invasive pests and diseases are among many threats related to
climate change.
6. Not enough food:
Changes in the climate and increases in extreme weather events are among the reasons behind a
global rise in hunger and poor nutrition. Fisheries, crops, and livestock may be destroyed or
become less productive. Heat stress can diminish water and grasslands for grazing, causing
declining crop yields and affecting livestock.
7. More health risks:
Climate change is the single biggest health threat facing humanity. Climate impacts are already
harming health, through air pollution, disease, extreme weather events, forced displacement,
pressures on mental health, and increased hunger and poor nutrition in places where people
cannot grow or find sufficient food.
8. Poverty and displacement:
Climate change increases the factors that put and keep people in poverty. Floods may sweep
away urban slums, destroying homes and livelihoods. Heat can make it difficult to work in
outdoor jobs. Water scarcity may affect crops. Most refugees come from countries that are most
vulnerable and least ready to adapt to the impacts of climate change.

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OR
1. The rise in the average temperature across the globe
2. Rising sea levels and melting of glaciers
3. Increase in precipitation
4. The amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has risen by 25% since 1958, and by about
40% since the Industrial Revolution
5. It has also impacted the water bodies as flooding has become extensively common
6. Food supplies and agriculture also depend on climatic conditions
7. It also hugely impacts human health. The most vulnerable groups, including children, the
elderly, people with preexisting health conditions, outdoor workers, people of colour, and
people with low income, are at an even higher risk
8. It also has a significant impact on the ecosystem and its organisms
9. Extreme weather events that bring heavy rains, floods, wind, snow, or temperature changes
can stress existing structures and facilities like bridges, roads, ports, electrical grids,
broadband internet, etc.

Health Impacts:
Climate change threatens human health and well-being in many ways.
1. Extreme Heat - Rising temperatures will lead to an increase in heat-related deaths and
illnesses.
2. Outdoor Air Quality - Rising temperatures and wildfires and decreasing precipitation will
lead to increases in ozone and particulate matter, elevating the risks of chronic
cardiovascular and respiratory illnesses and Premature death.
3. Flooding - Increased coastal and inland flooding exposes populations to a range of
negative health impacts before, during, and after events.
4. Vector-Borne Infection (Lyme Disease) - Ticks will show earlier seasonal activity and a
generally northward range expansion, increasing risk of human exposure to Lyme disease-
causing bacteria, malaria, dengue, hantavirus, rift valley fever, chikungunya and west nile
virus.
5. Water-Related Infection (Vibrio vulnificus) - Increases in water temperatures will alter
timing and location of Vibrio vulnificus growth, increas ing exposure and risk of water

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borne illness, cholera, cryptosporidiosis, leptospirosis.

6. Food-Related Infection (Salmonella) - Rising temperatures increase Salmonella
prevalence in food, longer seasons and warming winters increase risk of exposure and
infection, malnutrition, diarrheal disease.
7. Mental Health and Well-Being - Changes in exposure to climate or weather-related
disasters cause or exacerbate stress and mental health consequences, with greater risk for
certain populations.
8. Severe weather - Injuries, fatalities, mental health impacts.
9. Increasing Allergens – Respiratory allergies, asthma.

Effect on Biodiversity:
The loss of biodiversity could have many negative impacts on the future of ecosystems and
humanity worldwide.
1. Climate Change's Impact on Environment:
Greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, absorb heat from sunlight, preventing it from
escaping back into space. As the level of greenhouse gases rises, so will temperatures. Though
the Earth's climate has changed in the past, the rapid severity of this change will directly affect
ecosystems and biodiversity.
2. Effects on Land Biodiversity:
Rising temperatures already affect the world's polar regions. Diminishing ice packs reduce the
habitats of polar bears, penguins, puffins, and other Arctic creatures. As the ice melts, it
increases the sea level, which will affect and perhaps destroy ecosystems on coastlines.
3. Effects on Ocean Biodiversity:
Rising sea levels will also cause changes to ocean temperatures and perhaps even currents. Such
changes would have a strong impact on zooplankton, an essential part of the food chain in the
ocean. Whales, especially, could bear the brunt of this, as many whale species require mass
amounts of plankton to survive.
4. Lack of Biodiversity:
As biodiversity decreases, there will be far-reaching effects. Disruptions in the food chain may
greatly affect not only ecosystems but also humanity's ability to feed an ever-growing
population. For example, losing diverse insect species will decrease plant pollination.

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Additionally, this may decrease humanity's ability to produce medicine, as extinction claims
more and more key plant species.

EIA
Environmental Impact assessment (EIA):
 Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a tool used to assess the significant effects of
a project or development proposal on the environment.
 EIAs make sure that project decision makers think about the likely effects on the
environment at the earliest possible time and aim to avoid, reduce or offset those effects.
This ensures that proposals are understood properly before decisions are made.
 Environment Impact Assessment in India is statutorily backed by the Environment
Protection Act, 1986 which contains various provisions on EIA methodology and process.

Regulations in India:
Regulations Governing Environmental Impact Assessment:
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) in India is governed by several regulations, laws, and
guidelines as follows:
1. Environmental Impact Assessment Notification, 2006: This is India’s primary legal
framework for EIA. The notification lays down the procedures and guidelines for conducting
EIA studies and obtaining environmental clearance for projects that are likely to have significant
environmental impacts. The provision of this notification has been amended time and again to
provide for changing requirements for industries and projects today and compliance to any
updated regulations w.r.t impact assessment before starting the process.
2. The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, of 1974 provides for the prevention
and control of water pollution. It requires industries and other establishments to obtain consent to
establish and operate from the concerned State Pollution Control Board.
3. The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, provides for the prevention and
control of air pollution and requires industries and other establishments to obtain consent to
operate from the State Pollution Control Board.
4. The Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980: This act provides for the conservation of forests and
prohibits the diversion of forest land for non-forestry purposes without the prior approval of the

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Central Government.
5. The National Green Tribunal Act, 2010: This act establishes the National Green Tribunal
(NGT), which is responsible for hearing and disposing of environmental protection and
conservation cases.
6. The Coastal Regulation Zone Notification, 2011: This notification regulates development
activities in the Coastal Regulation Zone and requires projects in these areas to obtain clearance
from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.

Status of EIA in India:

 EIA was first introduced in 1978 with regard to the various river valley projects all over the
country and later expanded to include various other developmental procedures in its scope.
EIA is now mandatory for over 30 classes of projects.
 The Environmental Protection Rules, 1986 warrant for the imposition of certain restrictions
on the construction/ expansion/ modernization of specific projects without prior approval
from the Central, State, or Union Territory level Environmental Impact Assessment
Authority (EIAA) constituted under the Environment Protection Act, 1986.
 The Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) of India has been in
a great effort in Environmental Impact Assessment in India.
 The main laws in action are the Water Act (1974), the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act
(1972), the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act (1981) and the Environment
(Protection) Act (1986), Biological Diversity Act(2002).
 The responsible body for this is the Central Pollution Control Board.
 Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) studies need a significant amount of primary and
secondary environmental data.
 Primary data are those collected in the field to define the status of the environment (like air
quality data, water quality data etc.)
 Secondary data are those collected over the years that can be used to understand the existing
environmental scenario of the study area.
 The environmental impact assessment (EIA) studies are conducted over a short period of
time and therefore the understanding of the environmental trends, based on a few months of
primary data, has limitations.

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 Ideally, the primary data must be considered along with the secondary data for complete
understanding of the existing environmental status of the area.
 The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) experience in India indicates that the lack of
timely availability of reliable and authentic environmental data has been a major bottleneck
in achieving the full benefits of EIA.
 The environment being a multi-disciplinary subject, a multitude of agencies are involved in
collection of environmental data.
 Further, environmental data is not available in enhanced forms that improve the quality of
the EIA. This makes it harder and more time-consuming to generate environmental impact
assessments and receive timely environmental clearances from regulators.
 With this background, the Environmental Information Centre (EIC) has been set up to serve
as a professionally managed clearinghouse of environmental information that can be used by
MoEF, project proponents, consultants, NGOs and other stakeholders involved in the
process of environmental impact assessment in India.
 EIC stores data in GIS format and makes it available to all environmental impact assessment
studies and to EIA stakeholders.
 In 2020, the Government of India proposed a new EIA 2020 Draft, which was widely
criticized for heavily diluting the EIA.
 Many Environmental groups started a campaign demanding the withdrawal of the draft, in
face of these campaigns, the Government of India resorted to banning/blocking the websites
of these groups.

Objectives of the environmental impact assessment system:

The specific objections of the environmental impact assessment system are as follows:
1. To disclose significant environmental effects of proposed projects to decision-makers and
the public.
2. To identify ways to avoid or reduce environmental damage.
3. To prevent adverse environmental impacts by requiring implementation of feasible
alternatives or mitigation measures.
4. To disclose reason of approvals for the projects with significant environmental impacts to
the public.

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5. To foster interagency co-ordination.

6. To enhance public participation.

Purpose of EIA:
The purpose of assessing the proposed activities is as follows:
1. To ascertain, describe and assess direct and indirect impacts of the proposed activity and
its change on the environment, including transboundary impacts.
2. To explain and compare the advantages and disadvantages of the proposed activity and
its modifications, including its variants, even in comparison with no action.
3. To identify measures which prevent pollution of the environment, mitigate the
environmental pollution or prevent damaging the environment.
4. To acquire expert supporting documentation for issuing a decision on the permit of
activity and its modification under special regulations.
Importance of EIA:
1. EIA links environment with development for environmentally safe and sustainable
development.
2. EIA provides a cost effective method to eliminate or minimize the adverse impact of
developmental projects.
3. EIA enables the decision makers to analyse the effect of developmental activities on the
environment well before the developmental project is implemented.
4. EIA encourages the adaptation of mitigation strategies in the developmental plan.
5. EIA makes sure that the developmental plan is environmentally sound and within the
limits of the capacity of assimilation and regeneration of the ecosystem.

The EIA Process/Stages:

The stages of Environmental Impact Assessment are explained as follows:
1. Screening: This is the initial stage of EIA, where the proposed project is evaluated to
determine whether it requires a full EIA. Screening involves assessing the potential
environmental impacts of the project based on factors such as the size, location, and nature
of the project.
2. Scoping: In this stage, the scope and objectives of the EIA are defined. Scoping involves

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identifying the project’s potential environmental, social, and economic impacts and
selecting the key issues that will be evaluated in the EIA.
3. Collection of baseline data: Baseline data is the environmental status of study area.
4. Impact prediction: Positive and negative, reversible and irreversible and temporary and
permanent impacts need to be predicted which presupposes a good understanding of the
project by the assessment agency.
5. Mitigation measures and EIA report: The EIA report should include the actions and
steps for preventing, minimizing or by passing the impacts or else the level of
compensation for probable environmental damage or loss.
6. Public hearing: On completion of the EIA report, public and environmental groups living
close to project site may be informed and consulted.
7. Decision making: Impact Assessment Authority along with the experts consult the project-
in-charge along with consultant to take the final decision, keeping in mind EIA and EMP
(Environment Management Plan).
8. Monitoring and implementation of environmental management plan: The various
phases of implementation of the project are monitored.
9. Assessment of Alternatives, Delineation of Mitigation Measures and Environmental
Impact Assessment Report: For every project, possible alternatives should be identified,
and environmental attributes compared. Alternatives should cover both project location and
process technologies.
Once alternatives have been reviewed, a mitigation plan should be drawn up for the
selected option and is supplemented with an Environmental Management Plan (EMP) to
guide the proponent towards environmental improvements.
10. Risk assessment: Inventory analysis and hazard probability and index also form part of
EIA procedures.

Environmental Clearance:
 Environmental clearance refers to getting government approval for the installation and
modification (amendment) of specified projects.
 It is essential for activities that have the potential to cause severe environmental
contamination. Indian Constitution made a list of those projects under EIA Notification

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2006, which includes mining, thermal power plant, infrastructure, etc.

 The clearance process is necessary for 39 projects today, including screening, scoping, and
evaluating the upcoming project.
 The EIA Notice categorises projects into two categories, Category A and Category B
(further subdivided into B1 and B2). The MoEF & CC approves Category A projects,
whilst the State Environmental Impact Assessment Authority approves Category B
projects.
 One of the essential foundations of a successful EIA process is public participation. It
allows persons directly impacted by a project to express their thoughts on the project's
environmental and social implications and increases openness in the EC procedure. Almost
all EIA systems include some form of public participation. They are done through public
consultation (or discussion) or public involvement.

Purpose of Environmental Clearance:

The main purpose behind Environmental Clearance is to assess the impact of the proposed
project on environment and people, and to try to abate or minimize the impact of proposed
project on environment and people. It serves as a legal consent for industries that are unfriendly
to environment.

Procedure for Environmental Clearance:

To get Environment Clearance for a proposed project following steps are required to be
followed.

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List of projects needing environmental clearance under EIA notifications:

These are some projects that require environmental approval/clearance:
1. Mining, extraction of natural resources and power generation (for a specified production
capacity)
 Mining of Minerals
 Offshore and Onshore oil and gas exploration, development & production
 River Valley Projects
 Thermal Power Plants
 Nuclear Power Projects and Processing of Nuclear Fuel

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2. Primary Processing
 Coal Washeries
 Mineral beneficiation
3. Materials Production
 Metallurgical industries
 Cement Plants
4. Materials Processing
 Petroleum refining industry
 Coke oven plants
 Asbestos milling and asbestos based products
 Chlor-alkali industry
 Soda ash industry
 Leather/skin/hide processing industry
5. Manufacturing/ Fabrication
 Chemical Fertilisers
 Pesticide industry and pesticide specific intermediates
 Petro-chemical complexes
 Man made fibres manufacturing
 Petrochemical based processing
 Synthetic organic chemicals industry
 Integrated paint industry
 Pulp and Paper industry
 Sugar industry
6. Service Sectors
 Oil and gas transportation pipe line
 Isolated storage and handling of hazardous chemicals
7. Physical Infrastructure including Environmental Services
 Airports
 All ship breaking yards including ship breaking units
 Industrial estates/parks/complexes/areas, Export Processing Zones, and Special

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Economic Zones, Bio-tech Parks, Leather complexes.

 Common hazardous waste treatment , storage and disposal facilities
 Ports , Harbours, break waters, and dredging
 Highways
 Aerial ropeways
 Common Effluent Treatment Plants
 Common Municipal Solid Waste Management Facility
8. Building/Construction projects/Area Development Projects and Townships
 Building and Construction projects
 Townships and Area Development Projects

Case study of hydro power/ thermal power projects:

Case study:
1. Teesta III, 1200 MW, Sikkim a project by ANDRITZ Hydro Pvt. Ltd
About the project:
ANDRITZ Hydro was entrusted with the responsibility to provide the electro-mechanical
equipment of the plant in October 2007, which has 6 Pelton units of 200 MW output each. The 6
units were commissioned in succession by April 2017 and connected to the grid successfully.
Challenges faced:
One of the biggest challenges faced was the transportation of heavy consignments in an
extremely hostile terrain which was a mammoth task.
Another set-back faced during construction was the massive earthquake that struck in September
2011. The epicentre of this destructive earthquake was the project site itself. Due to this, the
construction schedule initially for 46 months was revised, setting the milestones [Link] of
life took its toll during the construction of this project during the earthquake.
Following the earthquake, another incident occurred which involved the collapse of one of
bridges on the main road to the project site. The collapse of the bridge impeded the
transportation of heavy consignments for a further period of another 23 months.
Current capacity:
The run-of-river hydropower plant will generate 5,269 GWh of electricity annually, dependable
for 90% of the year. It feeds 1200 MW of power to the grid currently.

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2. Bhira Hydroelectric Project by Tata Power Company Limited. Commissioning and

Operational Experiences of 150MW Bhira Pumped Storage Unit
About the project:
Bhira Hydroelectric Project is the third hydropower plant installed by The Tata Power Company
Ltd. in 1927. Bhira is a small village located about 150 km from Mumbai, in Maharashtra. The
Bhira power station with 6 x 25 MW (150 MW) generating units (double overhang Pelton
turbines) and 150MW Pumped Storage Unit. The Bhira Pumped Storage Unit was the single
largest such unit in India when commissioned in 1995.
Tata Power has successfully commissioned a 10kW micro-hydro project at Bhira in 2014. The
low-head, micro-hydro turbine installed in the tailrace of the 150MW Bhira hydro power station
utilises the existing flow rate available to generate energy.
The challenges faced that makes this one of a unique project:
Commissioning and Operational Experiences of 150MW Bhira Pumped Storage Unit. It consists
of two parts namely BPSU
Commissioning and Pumping Criteria. First part gives various technical details related to
stability of the machine at speed-no-load and method to improve the same. The second part
covers operational experiences gained related to pumping operation.
The current capacity of this power plant is 150 MW.

3. Purulia Pumped Storage Plant Hydro Plant in India by Toshiba India Private Limited
(TIPL)
About the Project:
Purulia Pumped Storage Plant is one of the most prestigious Hydro Plants in India. The key
benefit of the system is to support balancing of load.
Challenges in Hydro Project:
In context to challenges in any Hydro Project, execution depends on lot of factors like geology,
topography, hydrology and accessibility to project area.
Difficult terrain, hostile weather coupled with lack of adequate Transmission & Distribution
(T&D) system, adversely affects developments of Hydroelectric Projects (HEPs).
Land acquisition, environmental clearance and litigations may also result in delays and
consequent cost overruns.
Besides, the lack of a compulsory hydropower purchase obligation impacts the signing of long-

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term PPAs and financial closure for projects.

Current Capacity of the plant Purulia PSPP (West Bengal), 4 x 225MW (2008)

4. Ambhuthirtha Power Plant, Jog also known as MGHE TRS Mahatma Gandhi Hydro
Electric Tail Race Scheme Project by Soham Renewable Energy
About the Project:
Soham takes pride in the fact that this small hydro project at Jog falls is the first of its kind in
India to be registered under the United Nations for Framework convention on Climate Change
(UNFCCC). Situated near one of the Asia's largest, waterfalls, the project is a 22 MW
hydropower plant commissioned in 2007. This landmark project is considered by many to be a
benchmark for all such future endeavors. It was the first to take initiative and trade its CERs with
Japan's second largest energy utility firm. The success of this project has allowed Soham to
initiate plans aimed at further enhancing and upgrading the scope of the plant's operations. But
along with success there were definite challenges.
The challenges faced that makes this one of a unique project:
Flash Flood: Often during monsoon season severe storms and torrential rainfall have resulted in
record flooding on several streams in the jog region. Flash flooding has twice caused extensive
damage to power house and plant infrastructure and washed away the road also. Fortunately, the
flash flooding caused only material damage around the hydroelectric project. The damage was
primarily associated with surface erosion, scour and inundation. However, the flooding presented
challenges in accessing and operating the plant and repair work had to be undertaken at war
footing
Trash Removal: Here is a small case study at Jog fall plant where-in we have been able to
successfully improve our operational effectiveness. Operational effectiveness includes efficiency
but is not limited to only efficiency. The trash from waste such as cut down trees and weeds
clogged the trash rack leading to reduction in power. Operation and maintenance problems
associated with trash control facilities often cost a lot each year in form of extra labor, equipment
repair costs, and interference with scheduled water deliveries. Our ingenious Team Soham at Jog
devised a simple solution to reduce the number and severity of trash related problems. Our
construction team developed a scheme by which the trash so collected flows over an opening .
This is made possible by cutting the wall directly thereby reducing down trash menace clogging
the trash rack and increase in the overall power output.

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Current Capacity of the plant: A 22 MW hydropower plant.

5. Tehri Hydropower Complex – 2,400MW

 Topping the list of hydroelectric power plants in India is the Tehri Dam in Uttarakhand, the
highest hydroelectric power project in the country. Commissioned in 2006, first construction
began in 1978 helped by technical collaboration from the former USSR.
 Located at the confluence of the Bhagirathi and the Bhilangana rivers, near the city of Tehri,
the dam is a multi-purpose rock and earth-filled embankment dam, and at 260.5 metres is
the tallest in India.
 It is also the eighth-tallest dam in the world and the second-tallest in Asia. The length of the
dam is 575 metres, while the base width is 1,128 metres and the crest width is 20 metres.
 With a maximum planned capacity of 2,400MW, the Tehri Hydropower Complex consists
of the Tehri Dam and the Tehri Pumped Storage Hydroelectric Power Plant, and also
includes the 400MW Koteshwar Dam.
 Its reservoir stores water not just for the generation of hydroelectricity (which is about
1,000MW in addition to 1,000MW of pumped storage hydroelectricity) but also for
irrigation and municipal water supply to other states of North India too, such as Uttar
Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Delhi, Chandigarh, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir and
Rajasthan.
 Owned and operated by Tehri Hydro Development Corporation (THDC) until recently, the
Indian government approved NTPC taking over the project in November 2019.

6. Koyna Hydroelectric Project – 1,960MW

 Located near Patan, in Maharashtra’s Satara district, close to the Koyna River, the Koyna
Hydroelectric Project is India’s largest completed hydroelectric power plant with a capacity
of 1,960MW.
 Owned and operated by MAHAGENCO and Maharashtra State Power Generation, the
Koyna Project has four dams, the largest of which is constructed across the Koyna River.
 As the dam is located in the Western Ghats mountain range, all the generators of the power
plant have been installed deep inside the mountains requiring extensive excavation works.
 Construction began in 1954, and the project has been developed in four stages.

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7. Srisailam Dam – 1,670MW

 Third on the list is the 1,670MW-capacity Srisailam Dam.
 Owned by the Government of Andhra Pradesh via operator APGENCO, Srisailam Dam is
located on the Krishna River in the Nallamala Hills near Srisailam temple, which falls under
the districts of Kurnool and Mahabubnagar.
 Both these districts are situated at the border of the two states of Andhra Pradesh and
Telangana, respectively.
 Construction of the dam began in 1960, but took more than two decades for completion,
being unveiled only in 1981.
 With a length of 512 metres and a height of 145 metres, plus 12 radial crest gates, Srisailam
Dam is considered to be India’s third-largest working hydroelectric power project. It has a
reservoir measuring 616 square kilometres.

8. Nathpa Jhakri Dam – 1,530MW

 Himachal Pradesh’s Nathpa Jhakri Dam, with a capacity to generate 1,530MW of
electricity, ranks fourth in this list.
 This concrete gravity dam, which is 185 metres long and more than 67 metres high, was
constructed across the Satluj River in Kinnaur district’s Nathpa village.
 Owned and operated by Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam (SJVN), the dam is powered by six
250MW Francis-type turbines.
 Started in 1993, construction of the dam was completed in 2004 to make Nathpa Jhakri
India’s biggest underground hydroelectric power project.
 Nathpa Jhakri also has the county’s largest de-silting chambers, the largest and longest
headrace tunnel, the largest and deepest surge shaft.

9. Sardar Sarovar Dam – 1,450MW

 In fifth place is the Sardar Sarovar Dam, which has a capacity of 1,450MW and is operated
by the Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam.
 This concrete gravity dam is located on the Narmada river, near Navagam in the state of
Gujarat.
 The largest dam of the Narmada Valley Project, Sardar Sarovar Dam supplies water and

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electricity to four Indian states Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.
 Although the foundation stone was laid in 1961, the project began to take form in 1979 with
the help of a World-Bank funded development scheme, and construction began in 1987.
 Environmental opposition stalled construction efforts, and the dam was finally inaugurated
in 2017.
 This dam counts as the world’s second largest concrete dam after Grand Coulee which sits
across River Columbia in the US in terms of the volume of concrete used in its construction.
 It measures 1,210 metres long and more than 138 metres high, and is powered by six
200MW Francis-type turbines.

IMPORTANT QUESTIONS (2022 SCHEME ONLY)

1. DESCRIBE THE FACTORS AND EFFECTS OF GLOBAL WARMING
2. EXPLAIN THE EFFECTS OF GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE ON BIODIVERSITY
3. DEFINE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT AND EXPLAIN EIA IN INDIA
4. DISCUSS THE ROLE OF EIA CLEARANCE OF PROJECTS
5. EXPLAIN THE STAGES INVOVLED IN EIA
6. EXPLAIN THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF ANY THERMAL POWER PLANT OF INDIA
7. EXPLAIN ENVIRONMENTAL CLEARANCE. LIST THE PROJECT REQUIRE ENVIRONMENTAL
CLEARANCE IN INDIA
8. DEVELOP A FLOW CHART OF HYDROPOWER PLANT EIA CLEARANCE UNDER EIA NOTIFICATION
9. DISCUSS BRIEFLY ABOUT GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE INDICATORS

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