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Context

Despite environmentalists' protests, the Assam and Meghalaya governments have chosen to build a 55 MW hydroelectric project on the Kulsi, a small river known as a nesting site for endangered river dolphins.

About Kulsi River

Course:

• It is made up of three rivers: Khri, Krishniya, and Umsiri, all of which start in Meghalaya's West Khasi hill ranges at elevations above 1800 meters and flow north. 
• The river is known as Khri in the upper catchments, and it travels northwest, joined by two additional tributaries, Krishniya and Umsiri, within the Khasi highlands of Meghalaya, before entering Assam at Ukium.
• It then travels north over the plains of Assam's Kamrup District, eventually reaching Kulsi village. 
• Finally, it drains into the Brahmaputra near Nagarbera.

Ganges River Dolphin Project

• The Ganges River Dolphin depends on the river's depth (≥2 meters) for existence. However, illegal sand mining and infrastructure have reduced water levels by 70% in some areas.
• While the project promises multiple benefits (electricity, irrigation, and tourism), environmentalists point up potential hazards to the river's ecosystem.  
• The project will destroy dolphin habitat owing to changing water flow and noise pollution during development.

Source: Deccanherland