Highest altitude firing range in Sikkim gets Green Ministry nod

New Delhi: Amid China's decision to build the world's largest dam on Yarlung Tsangpo and name new counties in Indian territory Ladakh, India's forest advisory committee (FAC) has approved a firing range of 2,000 m at Yongdi near the India-China border in Sikkim and a 16 MW hydroelectric plant in Arunachal Pradesh's Anjaw. The plant was washed off in a 2012 cloudburst.

At nearly 15,000 feet, the Sikkim firing range is expected to be at the highest altitude in the country and the only heavy calibre one in the area.

About 87 hectares of forest area will be impacted by the firing range that will come on the banks of the Lachen river in Mangan district. The site has a naturally funnelled area, formed due to a lateral glacier that has receded. This will ensure natural cover for the firing range from the 'prying eyes of the enemy', the green ministry has been informed.

The proposed area is surrounded by mountain ridge on three sides and one side is open, minimising the hazards associated with live firing as well, it has been held. Given the length of the range, the possibility of a tank round hitting the mountain ridge is minimal, minimising impact on natural formations.

The armed forces have submitted that with the induction of heavy calibre equipment in north Sikkim and the 'sensitivity of the border with China', operational readiness is critical. Given security considerations and border proximity, it is not possible to de-induct and take the heavy calibre equipment out of Sikkim, the armed forces have said, terming the establishment of a new firing range an 'operational necessity'. The armed forces have said that they intend to hold the drill only twice a year.

However, there are environmental concerns because of the existence of multiple high-altitude lakes - Tasha Cho, Gochung Tso, Tso Tarn etc - in the vicinity of the proposed range. The proximity to the Lanchen river, a tributary of Teesta river, is also worrying because of the possible impact of firing of heavy calibre equipment on the silt load and drainage pattern, besides the vibrational impact on fragile mountain ranges.

FAC, however, has agreed to divert 87 ha (30 ha for impact area and 57 ha for safety area) of forest for the firing range with caveats on safeguards, monitoring systems, only daytime firing and proper disposal of waste ammunition and exploded shells.

FAC has also okayed construction of Halaipani HEP (16 MW) in Anjaw district of Arunachal Pradesh.

Under planning since the late 1990s, the state government in 2004-06 finally began its construction and was in full swing in 2012-13 (without the Centre's prior approval). However, the constructed infrastructure was significantly damaged due to a cloudburst on June 25-26, 2012.

The run-of-the-river project envisages utilisation of water of Halai river, a tributary of Lohit river. The nature of the project requires a fast-flowing river to drive turbines, usually found in steep terrain or where a large stream is confined in a narrow bed. To be spread over 4.75 hectares, the project is expected to provide a significant amount of electricity in the region, state government agencies have submitted.