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@article{182669,
        author = {Shelza Jalan},
        title = {The Ecological Costs of Hydropower: The Case of the Lower Subansiri Project},
        journal = {International Journal of Innovative Research in Technology},
        year = {2025},
        volume = {12},
        number = {2},
        pages = {2785-2792},
        issn = {2349-6002},
        url = {https://ijirt.org/article?manuscript=182669},
        abstract = {This article critically examines the Lower Subansiri Hydroelectric Project (LSHEP) as a case study of the ecological and political contradictions of India’s hydropower development in Northeast India. Framed under the discourse of renewable energy and national progress, the project reveals deep environmental, social, and institutional failures, ranging from ecological degradation and biodiversity loss to governance breakdown and the marginalization of indigenous communities. Using the lens of political ecology, the article explores how development narratives driven by energy security often overlook the region’s fragile topography, cultural landscapes, and the multi-functional role of rivers. It argues that environmental impact assessments (EIAs) and participatory governance have been weakened in the face of infrastructure expansion. The article calls for a paradigm shift in development planning, one that integrates decentralized renewable alternatives, ecosystem-based approaches, and inclusive decision-making. Ultimately, it questions whether India’s energy ambitions can truly be green if they are built on fragile ecological foundations and the displacement of local knowledge and livelihoods.},
        keywords = {Lower Subansiri Hydroelectric Project, Political ecology, Hydropower, Sustainability, Environmental governance, Northeast India, Ecological displacement, River systems, Biodiversity},
        month = {July},
        }