Revoke MoU on construction of 4 Dams between NEEPCO & Manipur Govt
29th August, 2014:
The Citizens Concern for Dams and Development expresses our serious concern and condemnation with the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding with the North Eastern Electric Power Corporation (NEEPCO) for taking up four power Hydroelectric Power Projects in Manipur on 28 August 2014. The signing of the four power projects, namely the 60 MW Irang HEP, 51 MW Tuivai HEP, the 67 MW Khongnem Chakha and 190 MW Pabram HEP projects in Tamenglong, Churachandpur and Senapati Districts, as part of the larger dam building plans over Rivers of Manipur under the Manipur Hydroelectric Power Policy, 2012 is another attempt of the Government to create further destruction of peoples livelihood and survival sources in Manipur.
The plan to build these dams is fraught with absence of consultation and taking the free, prior and informed consent of communities to be affected by such mega dam projects. CCDD is further concerned that dam building efforts failed to assess and learn from the multifaceted adverse impacts of dams commissioned in Manipur. The Ithai Barrage of Loktak Multipurpose Hydroelectric Project already devastated the Loktak Wetlands ecosystem and destroyed the livelihood sources of fisherfolk and farmers of Manipur by submerging more than 80,000 acres of farmland. The ongoing Mapithel dam construction will destroy more than 1000 hectares of agriculture land and forest in Mapithel hill range. The proposed 1500 MW Tipaimukh Dam will also submerge more than 27,000 hectares of forest land, while displacing several thousands of communities.
CCDD would like to point out that the construction of mega dams in Manipur is fraught again with failures and under performances. The Khuga dam, which intends to generate 1.5 MW and to provide irrigation to 15,000 hectares of agricultural land in Churachandpur District, has long failed to generate single unit of power. The 750 KW power generating unit of Singda Dam lies rusted in the immediate vicinity of the Dam, failing to generate a single unit of power since its commissioning. A serious question which emanates from an introspection of underperforming dams in Manipur is why should indigenous peoples of Manipur sacrifice their land, forest and other survival sources for such unsustainable projects. The Government's exclusionary move and decision to promote mega dams all over Manipur without consulting the indigenous communities is a violation of indigenous peoples' rights as outlined by UN Declaration on the Rights of indigenous peoples. The community have not been provided the necessary information on the proposed plans.
CCDD would like to emphasis that the MoU signed between Government of Manipur and NEEPCO for four mega dam projects in Manipur on 28 August should be repealed. The Manipur Hydroelectric Policy, 2012 should be repealed as it only aimed to further serve the corporate interest to maximize profits from the exploitation and destruction of peoples land and resources. With communities already resorting to widespread use of solar energy in Manipur, it is high time that the promotion of alternative energy is seriously promoted by the Government of Manipur rather than promoting unsustainable mega dam projects. The free, prior and informed consent of indigenous peoples as outlined in the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, 2007 and the recommendations of the World Commission on Dams in 2000 are fully complied too for all development and dam building plans in Manipur. The Government should promote a comprehensive Manipur Energy policy that encompasses the most feasible alternate energy solutions in Manipur.
Ms. Aram Pamei,
Co-Chairperson ,
Citizens Concern For Dams And Development
Keisampat Imphal Manipur 795001
E-add: [email protected]
* This PR was sent to e-pao.net by Jiten Yumnam (Joint Secretary, Citizens Concern for Dams and Development ) who can be contacted at jitnyumnam(at)yahoo(dot)co(dot)in (
This Press Release was posted on August 30 2014
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