International Rivers Day at Nungbrung Village
14th March 2019
International Rivers Day at Nungbrung Village on 14th March 2019
The Mapithel Dam Downstream Affected Village Level Committee, the Mapithel Dam Downstream Affected Peoples, the Centre for Research and Advocacy, Manipur and the Irabot Foundation, Manipur Jointly celebrated the international Rivers Day at Nungbrung Village, Imphal East District on 14th March with the theme “Let the Rivers Flow Free in Manipur”.
Mr. Jiten Yumnam, Secretary, Centre for Research and Advocacy, Manipur shared that Rivers of Manipur are targeted to unsustainable development processes such as the construction of hydropower projects that curtailed the free flow of rivers and undermining the survival relationship of indigenous communities with the rivers & land, as in the case of those villagers affected by the Mapithel Dam and 105 MW Loktak Hydroelectric Project in downstream and upstream areas. Mr. Yumnam further stated it is unfortunate that mega hydropower projects like 1500 MW Tipaimukh Dam are planned across the Rivers of Manipur even as commissioned dams like the Khuga dam, the Khoupum dam etc have failed to fulfill their objectives.
Ms. Khundongbam Bimola, President of the Mapithel Dam Downstream Affected Village Level Committee shared that the construction of Mapithel dam destroyed the fragile ecology of Thoubal River and impoverished the affected communities in downstream villages such as Laikhong, Tumukhong, Nungbrung etc, as villagers could no longer collect sand and stone due to the impoundment in the dam reservoir. Villagers could no longer send their children to school due to impoverishment due to the dam.
International Rivers Day at Nungbrung Village on 14th March 2019
Ms. Ibetombi Nameirakpam of Nungbrung Village shared that the blockade of the free flow of the Thoubal River since January 2015 by Mapithel Dam caused much hardship to the people living along the Thoubal River. The Government’s order against the extraction of sand by using machines has further affected the livelihood means and sustainability of the villagers. Therefore, the dam does not have any significance to the locals and hence, the Government should restore the river back to its original state.
Mr. Yumlembam Thoiba of the Mapithel Dam downstream Affected Peoples shared that the Mapithel dam is the root cause of all the hardship and livelihood challenges in villages along the Thoubal River. The Mapithel dam reservoir caused the Thoubal River to cease its flow.
The Mapithel dam caused misunderstanding among communities seeking livelihood and dependence for water on Thoubal River. Ms. Nomita Takhenchangbam of the Youth Forum on Human Rights shared the Mapithel dam and other unsustainable projects in Manipur are a threat to the survival of indigenous peoples of Manipur.
Later, the villagers of Women leaders and selected villagers of Nungbrung, Laikhong and Tumukhong villagers organized a symbolic protest along the Thoubal River in Nungbrung Village urging the Government of Manipur to ensure the free flow of Thoubal River and also to stop the commissioning of Thoubal River, to ensure the livelihood of all communities in both upstream and downstream affected by the Mapithel dam. The participants also called to stop building dams in all the Rivers of Manipur.
International Rivers Day at Nungbrung Village on 14th March 2019
Sd/-
(Sanaton Laishram)
President
Centre For Research And Advocacy, Manipur (CRAM)
Jupiter Yambem Centre,
Paona Bazar,
Imphal Manipur
India 795001
* This Press Release was sent to e-pao.net by Centre For Research And Advocacy, Manipur (CRAM) who can be contacted at cra(DOT)manipur(AT)gmail(DOT)com
This Press Release was posted on March 15 2019
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