Downstream Affected Villages of Mapithel Dam says no to dam
- Citizens Concern for Dams and Development -

Imphal / 25th May 2008

THOUBAL MULTIPURPOSE PROJECT (MAPITHEL DAM)
DOWNSTREAM AFFECTED AREA COMMITTEE (TMPPDAAC)
H.O. MOIRANGPUREL I/E MANIPUR
PRESS RELEASE
25 MAY 2008

The Mapithel Dam of the Thoubal Multipurpose Project which began in early 1980 was built without the due knowledge and consent of those who live at the downstream of the dam, and also without any downstream impact assessment and accompanying Resettlement and Rehabilitation.

The downstream villages Tumukhong, moirangpurel, moirangpurel II), Etham, Laikhong, Bewlaland, Saichang, Molkon, Bongyang, etc. have been kept in the dark about how this dam can cause immense and irreversible impact on the riverine ecosystems, and socio-economic and cultural relations arrangements of those living downstream of the dam. Instead this information has been hidden from us for more than 25 years, by the project proponents and the companies that this dam will contribute positively. We consider this as a crime that calls for justice.

The rally in progress...

From our own learning, we are now aware that dams do create severe downstream impact such as dam break due to lack of poor quality and earthquakes and impacts on downstream such as on water flow regime and ecosystem change, decline of fisheries, crops due to change in water flow and reduced nutrients, and pollution of water. There are also instances of sudden release of water resulting into deaths and destruction downstream.

From our experience, mapithel dam construction has already caused several hardships already. During the construction time we are faced with problems including air and water pollution. Our air has become dusty making even difficult even to breath during peak hour construction time. Dust covers our fields, our houses and streets and even our food.

Water have become polluted and undrinkable with dust, mud and effluents used for heavy vehicles used for dam construction. Moreover, the coffer dam which is already installed, downstream villages are already experiencing water scarcity for irrigation and household use.

Sand and boulders mining which is also a source of income has dwindled at an alarming rate that will jeopardize an important livelihood source for downstream villages.

Dam safety is an important source of fear. Not only that this mapithel dam has been built with poor safety norms as government’s own Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report clearly indicates. This also has been substantiated by testimonies of dam workers and corroborated by the recent break on the spillway wall.

It is natural for downstream, responsible citizen’s to ask for proper safety assessment of the dam. A responsible government would have immediately asked for an enquiry and a full scale safety assessment, but instead has threatened to arrest those who have raised this issue.

A militarization and an undemocratic mindset of the government will not only prove to be disastrous for the dam and downstream inhabitants but also a doom for the whole of manipur. Democratic space even on development debates has now been squeezed and we are deeply pained by this degradation.

Due to these above concerns we have submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister on 29 February 2008 but have chosen to remain silent all these days. This is irresponsible, unaccountable and a disregard of all democratic call of its citizens.

Resolution Taken after the meeting
1). We will oppose further construction of Mapithel Dam.
2). We will stand to defend our land, our forest and our river, &
3). We will resort to all possible means available to us to realize the above two.

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This information is sent to e-pao.net by Ramananda Wangkheirakpam, CCDD. They can be contacted at ccddne(at)yahoo(dot)co(dot)in .
This PR was webcasted on May 27th 2008

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