The state government has planned a number of dams and hydroelectric projects across two rivers -- Tawang Chhu and the Naymjang Chhu -- in Tawang district. Monpas, an indigenous tribe, which constitutes 97 percent of Tawang's population, have been protesting against ecological damage and land acquisition. The community does not oppose the already existing 31 mini- and micro-hydro projects in the area but argues that mega dams will be a threat to their existence.
In May 2016, Jampa Stering of Humanity International told the media, "One-fourth of Monpa land is owned by the defence ministry and other government establishments. Tawang is one of the smallest districts in Arunachal flanked by China on one side and Bhutan on the other. Where will the people go if our lands are taken away to build dams?" It is estimated that majority of the land being acquired is community land used by farmers and pastoralists in the region.
In April 2016, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) suspended environmental clearance to the project after it became clear that the construction work was continuing despite the lack of forest clearances. The NGT asked the environment ministry to conduct a study on the project's environmental impact.
On 2 May 2016, local community leader Lama Lobsang Gyatso was arrested in the middle of protests against the construction. When protesters opposed the move, the police shot two dead and opened fire on a crowd of 2,000 people demanding his release.
One of the main issues with the project is that it impacts the endangered Black-necked Crane, which the Monpa community worships as the embodiment of the sixth Dalai Lama. The dam is also likely to submerge the 13th century stupa, Gorzam Chorten, which has great cultural and historical significance for the Monpas. The NGT acknowledged the impact, but despite orders, construction work continues on the site.
The field study for the project was conducted between July 2017 and February 2018, and every person asked about the project opposed it. In June 2019, the Dehradun-based Wildlife Institute of India released a report recommending rejection of the proposed project.
The Nyamjang Chu project has been on hold following a complaint lodged by the Save Mon Region Federation (SMRF) with the NGT alleging fraudulent studies behind it. “If we knew our signatures were being taken for the NHPC projects, we would never have agreed,” said Tsering Tempa, who was severely injured in the 2016 police attack. “We are concerned about our land and identity, not material gains.”
Villagers in Lhou who’ve been agitating strongly against the power projects echoed these concerns, adding that their faith may be watered down by the arrival of outsiders who come to build the dams.
The resilience of the Monpa community seems to have halted the projects. As of 20 May 2025, no new developments have been reported on the progress of the NHPC projects.
Demand/Contention of the Affected Community
Refusal to give up land for the project
Demand to retain/protect access to common land/resources
Opposition against environmental degradation
Demand to cancel the project
Complaint against procedural violations
Other Demand/Contention of the Affected Community
Region Classification
Rural
Type of Land
Common and Private
Forest, Non-Forest (Other than Grazing Land)
What was the action taken by the police?
Arrest
How many people did the police detain or arrest?
1
What is the current status of the detained/accused persons?
Released from arrest
Did the person face any violence while in police custody?
Don't Know
If any arrests took place, were the accused persons produced before a judge within 24 hours of the arrest?
If the accused was not produced before a magistrate within 24 hours, or not produced at all, what were the reasons?
Legislation under which the accused was charged
Was the accused person informed of their right to legal representation? Did the accused person have access to legal aid?
In cases where the accused person approached the court for bail, was bail granted?
Why was bail granted or rejected? If granted, what were the bail conditions and quantum of bail?
Details of sources (names of accused, names and numbers of any lawyers, names of any police officers contacted)
Status of Project
Project stalled due to protests
Original Project Deadline
2033
Whether the Project has been Delayed
Yes
Significance of Land to Land Owners/Users
Other Natural Resource extraction/dependence, Water bodies, Agricultural land, Religious/Sacred/Cultural value, Government or community-regulated urban commons, Fishing
Whether the project was stalled due to land conflict
Yes
Source/Reference
Total investment involved (in Crores):
₹
7386.32
Type of investment:
Cost of Project
Year of Estimation
2007
Has the Conflict Ended?
No
When did it end?
Why did the conflict end?
Categories of Legislations Involved in the Conflict
Forest and Scheduled Area Governance Laws, Environmental Laws, Land Acquisition Laws
Legislations/Policies Involved
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Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Whether claims/objections were made as per procedure in the relevant statute
What was the claim(s)/objection(s) raised by the community?
What was the Decision of the Concerned Government Department?
Legal Processes and Loopholes Enabling the Conflict:
Violation of environmental laws
Non-implementation/violation of FRA
Controversial land acquisition by the government
Legal Status:
In Court
Status of Case In Court
Disposed
Whether any adjudicatory body was approached
Yes
Name of the adjudicatory body
National Green Tribunal Principal Bench, New Delhi
Name(s) of the Court(s)
Case Number
APPEAL NO. 39 OF 2012
Main Reasoning/Decision of court
Major Human Rights Violations Related to the Conflict:
Killing
Arrest/detention/imprisonment
Attempted killing
Whether criminal law was used against protestors:
Yes
Reported Details of the Violation:
On 2 May 2016, the 31-year-old Tsering Tempa was shot in the head and Nyima Wangdi, a 21-year-old Buddhist monk from the Tawang Monastery was shot twice. The police allegedly opened fire on a crowd comprising about 2,000 people, who had gathered at the district collector’s office in Tawang to demand the immediate release of local community leader Gyatso.
Date of Violation
May 1, 2016
Location of Violation
District Collector's office in Tawang
Government Departments Involved in the Conflict:
MoEFC
PSUs Involved in the Conflict:
NHPC
Did LCW Approach Government Authorities for Comments?
Name, Designation and Comment of the Government Authorities Approached
Corporate Parties Involved in the Conflict:
M/s NJC Hydropwer Ltd., Bhilwara Energy Limited (SPV)
Did LCW Approach Corporate Parties for Comments?
Communities/Local Organisations in the Conflict:
Save Mon Region Federation, Monpa community
What was the action taken by the police?
Arrest
How many people did the police detain or arrest?
1
What is the current status of the detained/accused persons?
Released from arrest
Did the person face any violence while in police custody?
Don't Know
If any arrests took place, were the accused persons produced before a judge within 24 hours of the arrest?
If the accused was not produced before a magistrate within 24 hours, or not produced at all, what were the reasons?
Legislation under which the accused was charged
Was the accused person informed of their right to legal representation? Did the accused person have access to legal aid?
In cases where the accused person approached the court for bail, was bail granted?
Why was bail granted or rejected? If granted, what were the bail conditions and quantum of bail?
Were there any other notable irregularities that took place, or other significant details?
