CCDD, CPNRM hail FAC report on Tipaimukh
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 27 2013 : Welcoming the move of the Forest Advisory Committee (FAC), Ministry of Environment and Forest, opposing forest clearance for the proposed 1500 MW Tipaimukh Multipurpose project, the Citizens Concern for Dams and Development (CCDD) and Committee on the Protection of Natural Resources in Manipur (CPNRM) have said the rejection of forest clearance by the FAC has proven that Government of Manipur and dam construction agencies pursued destructive forms of development in Manipur with no care for the environment, forest, land and people.

"It also proves that the Environment Clearance for Tipai-mukh dam on October 24, 2008 was made based on wrong information," said a statement issued by the chairperson of CCDD, Dr RK Ranjan.

The reasons furnished by the FAC that construction of the dam would cause widespread devastation of the flora, fauna; ecology in Barak riverine ecosystem and socio-economic conditions of the affected communities have been long highlighted by affected communities, environmental and social organisations.

The process for getting Environmental clearance and Forest clearance has been carried out without any holistic and participatory impact assessment and non-recognition of peoples' rights over their land, it alleged.

Urging the Ministry of Environment and Forest, and the Government of India to respect the recommendations of the Forest Advisory Committee on Tipaimukh, the CCDD and CPNRM, demanded revocation of the Environmental Clearance for Tipaimukh dam granted on October 24, 2008 'as it was based on wrong information' .

It further urged the Govt of Manipur to revoke the MoU it signed with NHPC and the Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam Ltd in 2010 considering the confirmed multifaceted impacts adding that the State Govt should now embark on an alternative model of power generation based on needs, wishes and aspiration of the people and to minimize impacts on environment.

The recommendations of world commission on dams, 2000 and provision of UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, 2007 should be respected while pursuing mega dams and other destructive and unsustainable forms of development in Manipur, it added.

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