Downstream woes
- Hueiyen Lanpao Editorial :: August 11 2015 -
Mapithel Dam Affected Villagers Organisation (MDVO) has alleged that that the current woes faced by the people residing at the dam’s downstream region were the result of not conducting a Detailed Impact Assessment (DIA) of the dam project. This allegation should be noted with some seriousness.
MDAVO said that it has been demanding the DIA since 2003 and pointed out that there has been no such assessment made based on the contextualized perspectives of the socio-cultural, economic and environment for the upper and downstream affected people.
What is even more serious is the allegation that the State Government has not taken any seismic precautionary measures as the Mapithel Valley range falls within the Seismic Zone 5.
The organisations has rightly pointed out that the downstream people who have been already living under the fear of possible dam outburst any time due to Reservoir Induced Seismic (RIS) occurrence have to be well assured of certain actions necessary in such situation.
MDAVO further pointed out that Relative Density Apparatus to determine density of cohesion-less soil used to filter media in the dam and Permeability Test Apparatus have not be been installed so far.
The organisation also reiterated earlier demands that the Government should take up immediate measures so as to provide relief and meet the demands of the downstream people on providing an alternative livelihood meant for the villagers who were primarily dependent on their land where they had built their homes.
As a mark of solidarity, MDAVO had extended full co-operation to the ongoing stir launched by the downstream inhabitants.
It is still not clear whether or not the responsible authorities apart from claiming to have disbursed compensations had ever pondered on the issues raised by the MDAVO.
The organisation had appealed the authorities to follow the recommendation of World Commission on Dams, 2000 and UN Special Rapporteurs recommendation on Indigenous Peoples, 2008 in the construction of Mapithel Dam and Thoubal Multipurpose Project, Manipur.
Under such backdrop, the proposed meeting of the 44 affected villages under Ukhrul District under the aegis of Mapithel Dam Catchment Area Committee is significant on many counts.
The meeting while taking a firm resolution on the issue is also likely to further press for a dispassionate review of the Dam policy for their own welfare.
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