International Rivers Day celebration at Nungleiband Village, Noney

14th March 2022

International Rivers Day celebration at Nungleiband Village, Noney

The Centre for Research and Advocacy, Manipur (CRA) and the Nungleiband Village Authority celebrated the International Rivers Day celebration at Nungleiband Village, Noney District, on 14th March 22 with the theme “Let us Protect our Rivers for Sustainable Development”. The celebration aimed to foster the intrinsic relationship of indigenous communities with their rivers, forest and land.

Mr. Jiten Yumnam, Secretary, CRA shared the importance of River in sustaining the livelihood and cultures of indigenous peoples of Manipur. Rivers provided water, fish, sand and stone and sustained indigenous agriculture. Rivers also connect communities. Protecting the forest, land and fostering a sustainable development is key to project our Rivers.

Ms. Ramthailiu Gangmei, Secretary, Lu Phuam Society, Pinjang) Part IV, while expressing concern with proposed plan to build Nungleiband dam over the Leimatak River, shared the Khoupum dam in Tamenglong district lies defunct without providing any benefit to the people. The discharge of waters from Loktak power station of 105 MW Loktak Hydro project on Leimatak River affected fishing, collection of sand and livelihood dependence on the River, including women’s access to the River.

Mr. Namshadai Kamei, Member, Nungleiband Village Authority expressed concern with the plans to build the 70 MW Nungleiband Dam and the 66 MW Loktak Downstream Hydro project over the Leimatak River. The detailed impacts of proposed dams over the Leimatak River have not been informed to the people. The loss of land for dam building will cause intergenerational impacts.

International Rivers Day celebration at Nungleiband Village, Noney

Mr. Themson Jajo, Environmentalist shared that people affected by Mapithel dam realize the importance of Thoubal River once the River is submerged by the Mapithel dam reservoir. The people along Leimatak River should learn from the experience of people who lose their land and livelihood due to Mapithel dam, Loktak dam, Khuga dam, Khoupum dam etc. Rivers are Gift of god, passed on by our ancestor and its our duty to protect to pass on next generation in good health.

Mr. Gunrei, Environmentalist shared how unsustainable development, such as large dam projects are pursued over Irang, Barak, Leimatak Rivers etc without the recognition of rights of the people.

Dr. Amarjit, Associate Professor, JNU University shared that large dams caused social division within affected communities. Dam building foster corruptive practices and unleashed poverty among affected communities. The compensation provided can never compensate the loss of land and intergenerational relationship with land and Rivers. Our rivers & land cannot be considered as source of corporate profit.

The participants of the celebration of the International Rivers Day affirmed to protect the Rivers and to ensure the unhindered flow of all Rivers of Manipur. The Government should revoke all MoUs planned to build large dams, such as the 66 MW Loktak downstream project, the 70 MW Nungleiband dam etc and further to decommission Ithai Barrage. The International Financial Institutions should stop financing dams like Loktak downstream project in Manipur. Let the Rivers flow free in Manipur.

International Rivers Day celebration at Nungleiband Village, Noney

Centre For Research And Advocacy, Manipur
Jupiter Yambem Centre,
Paona Bazar,
Imphal, Manipur, India 795001