India, Nov. 9 -- Even as protests in Arunachal Pradesh continue against the 11,200-MW Siang Upper Multipurpose Project, a proposed hydroelectric project on the Siyom River -- a tributary of the Siyang River - has received key approval from the Union Environment Ministry's Forest Advisory Committee (FAC).

The latest project, called the 1,000-MW Naying Hydro Electric Project, will be operated by North Eastern Electric Power Corporation Limited and built in Arunachal Pradesh's Shi Yomi and Siang districts, leading to the diversion of around 470 hectares of 'unclassed forest' land and felling of more than one lakh trees. Unclassed forest is an area recorded as forest but not included in the reserved or protected forest category. Ownership st...