Protection on Land and Environment : Community Meet at Gaidimjang, Tamenglong
01st August 2018, Tamenglong
Protection on Land and Environment : Community Meet at Gaidimjang, Tamenglong
Khoupum Areas Village Authroity Council, Khoupum
Women Development Organization, Tamenglong
Centre For Research And Advocacy, Manipur
A community meet on “Protection on Land and Environment”, organized by Khoupum Area Village Authority Council, Khoupum, Women Development Organization, Tamenglong and the Centre for Research and Advocacy, Manipur was held at Gaidimjang Village, Manipur on 31st July, 2018. The meet was held in the context of increased loss of indigenous peoples land and resources, due to pursuance of unsustainable development processes and implications of worsening climate change.
Mr. Gunrei Kami, Social activist shared how development processes in Khoupum and adjoining areas often mired in undemocratic practices with environment and social impacts. The Khoupum area, flanked by the Leimatak River and the Irang River is subjected to plans for Irang Dam, the Loktak Downstream hydroelectric project in addition to existing Khoupum dam, for road building by Keystone Company etc.
Mr. Abon Gonmei, Gaidimjang Village shared that the Keystone Company undertook road construction from Joujangtek to Rengpang through Khoupum with funding of North East Council without any appraisal of impacts and rehabilitation and resettlement plan for affected villagers. The memorandum to the company by affected communities to consider all impacts and for their rehabilitation remains unheeded. The Government is unwilling to compensate for land lost due to the road widening & dumping of excavated earth in cultivated land & forest. The road building also divided the villagers.
Protection on Land and Environment : Community Meet at Gaidimjang, Tamenglong
Ms. Aram Pamei, Co-Chairperson, Citizens Concern for Dams and Development shared that Tamenglong and other parts of Manipur is located in very strategic location with abundant natural resources, including forest, water, agriculture land and countless minerals. She shared indigenous peoples are stewards of the land and corporate bodies are forcefully trying to acquire peoples land and resources without recognizing their rights and consent.
Companies insist on oil exploration, building mega hydel projects and roads and railway infrastructure without taking their consent. Indigenous peoples need to understand the unsustainable nature of large development process and should protect their land and resources from adverse implications of such processes. The younger generation needs to appreciate the importance of land. Respecting indigenous peoples rights and their right to free, prior and informed consent is critical before any development in their land.
Mr. Jiten Yumnam, Secretary, Centre for Research and Advocacy, Manipur shared communities are sidelined in development decision making affecting their land and resources. The construction of dams, road etc, such as in Khoupum areas lack of comprehensive impact assessment, rightful involvement of communities and irresponsibility of corporate bodies, that sees only profit by destroying peoples land & lives. The Khoupum dam, that failed to provide water for irrigation in Khoupum areas despite its submergence of more than 200 Acres, is marred with inadequate compensation.
Mr. Gaikamn Kamei of Namkanrong Part II Village shared that Khoupum dam remains useless with failed canals, submergence vast area of agriculture land and failing to provide water for double cropping. The limited compensation for land lost for canal construction also led to much confusion in Khoupum areas. It is high time the dam is removed given its failure to serve its purpose & objectives.
Protection on Land and Environment : Community Meet at Gaidimjang, Tamenglong
(Sanaton Laishram)
President, CRA, Manipur
Centre For Research And Advocacy, Manipur
Keisampat Imphal Manipur 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 August 02 2018
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