Natural resources must be protected, indigenous people consulted before commissioning large-scale development projects in Manipur
September 9, 2017
A Statement by the Asian Human Rights Commission
The floods that took place in mid-June in northeast India severely
impacted the lives and livelihood of over 17 lakh persons, many of
whom were displaced from their home villages. The Asian Human Rights
Commission (AHRC) had earlier noted that the damage caused by the
floods was heightened by the construction of numerous dams and hydropower projects, none of
which had been subjected to Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) as
mandated by the law.
These included the Ithai barrage constructed
under the Loktak Multipurpose Hydroelectric Project and the Pare Hydro
Power Project. Both were created despite protests from local
communities, who live downstream from these projects and face great
loss and severe damage, when these dams inevitably overflow during the
monsoon season.
Most of the projects in the state are financed by external entities,
such as the Asian Developmental Bank and the Japan International
Cooperation Agency. These institutions do not appear to take the
wishes of residents into account, despite residents being the biggest
stakeholders in such projects, due to the direct impact on their
well-being.
Under the Hydro Power Policy of 2012
<http://manireda.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Hydro-Power-Policy.pdf>
, there was a proposal to construct ten dams across the rivers in
Manipur, despite the failure of most hydro projects/dams
<http://www.ifp.co.in/item/3338-recognise-peoples-right-in-development-process>
in the state. In addition to these failures, the entities responsible
for monitoring the projects – the North Eastern Electric Power
Coorporation (NEEPCO) and the National Hydroelectric Power
Coorporation (NHPC) – are negligent in their administration, as
evidenced by constant delays in opening dam gates during floods.
Moreover, these entities are concerned with maximum power generation
<http://www.ifp.co.in/article/item/3126-nhpc-s-105-mw-loktak-project-a-curse-for-manipur>
rather than the good of the people, creating a situation of
conflicting interests, wherein corporate interests are given
precedence over the rights of the residents.
In addition to the impact on the people, these projects have a marked
adverse impact on the ecosystem, and in particular on indigenous
communities in the area. The social and environmental impacts of the
project have direct implications
<http://www.ifp.co.in/article/item/2750-loktak-project-corporate-unaccountability-in-manipur>
for indigenous communities, most of whom depend on agricultural
activities for their livelihood. In their hurry to “develop” the
state, the government has failed to even sign an MoU defining the
terms and conditions of the operations of the project, leading to a
regulatory abyss and lack of accountability. Much as how the agitation
to save the Silent Valley in Kerala
<http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/A-rainforestrsquos-saga-of-survival/article16851225.ece>
in the 1980’s led to the stoppage of a hydropower project in the
region, the government must take account of the adverse impact of
these projects on people and the environment.
On 03 September 2017, there was a consultation on this matter attended
by parties including the Loktak Project Affected Areas Action
Committee, Mapithel Dam Affected Villagers Organisation, JAC-Mapithel
Dam Downstream Affected Peoples, Loktak Fisheries Welfare Association,
Centre for Research and Advocacy, Manipur, and the Committee on Human
Rights.
The parties unanimously decided to petition the state
<http://e-pao.net/GP.asp?src=1..030917.sep17>
and central governments to decommission problematic projects,
including the Ithai Barrage project, the Tipaimukh dam, Pabram dam, as
well as oil exploration projects all over the state. The idea behind
these demands is to ensure a more spirited form of participative
democracy and to recognise
<http://www.ifp.co.in/item/3338-recognise-peoples-right-in-development-process>
“the people’s rights in (the) development process”
The AHRC stands with the groups and organisations in demanding an
independent Environmental Impact Assessment and ensure people’s
participation during the commissioning and decommissioning of large
projects that could have a deleterious effect on their lives,
environment and livelihoods. The Central and State governments must
take note of the adverse effect of these projects on the lives of
residents in the area, as well as the fact that many of these
constructions are unlawful, due to them being undertaken without
fulfilling requirements under the relevant environmental laws.
By ignoring the desires of the indigenous people who are the primary
occupants of the land, the State is violating the provisions of the
United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
<http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/unpfii/documents/DRIPS_en.pdf>
. It is essential that the demands made at the consultation on 03
September are acceded to, and that provisions for compensation to
affected persons are made. Developmental policies including the North
East Hydrocarbon Vision 2030
<http://pib.nic.in/newsite/printrelease.aspx?relid=136255>
, Manipur Hydro Power Policy of 2012 and the Manipur Loktak Lake
Protection Act, 2006
<http://www.cseindia.org/userfiles/Manipur_Loktak_Lake.pdf>
.
The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) works towards the radical
rethinking and fundamental redesigning of justice institutions in
order to protect and promote human rights in Asia. Established in
1984, the Hong Kong based organisation is a Laureate of the Right
Livelihood Award, 2014.
* This Press Release was sent to e-pao.net by Asian Human Rights Commission who can be contacted at http://www.humanrights.asia
This Press Release was posted on September 10 2017
* Comments posted by users in this discussion thread and other parts of this site are opinions of the individuals posting them (whose user ID is displayed alongside) and not the views of e-pao.net. We strongly recommend that users exercise responsibility, sensitivity and caution over language while writing your opinions which will be seen and read by other users. Please read a complete Guideline on using comments on this website.