Submission to Ministry of Environment and Forest, Govt of India to desist according Forest Clearance

8 July 2013, Imphal

JOINT SUBMISSION OF THE COMMITTEE ON THE PROTECTION OF NATURAL RESOURCES IN MANIPUR (CPNRM), THE CITIZENS’ CONCERN FOR DAMS AND DEVELOMENT (CCDD) AND THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST TIPAIMUKH DAM PROJECT (ACTIP) TO THE FOREST ADVISORY COMMMITTEE OF THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND FOREST, GOVERNMENT OF INDIA TO DESIST ACCORDING “FOREST CLEARANCE” FOR THE PROPOSED 1500 MW TIPAIMUKH MULTIPURPOSE HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT IN MANIPUR

8 July 2013
To,
Mr. Jude Sekhar
Director General of Forests & Special Secretary,
Ministry of Environment and Forest,
Chairperson, Forest Advisory Committee
Paryavaran Bhawan, CGO Complex, Lodhi Road,
New Delhi, India 110003

Subject: Appeal to desist from according “Forest Clearance” for proposed 1500 MW Tipaimukh Multipurpose Hydroelectric Project

Dear Sir,

The Committee on the Protection of Natural Resources in Manipur (CPNRM), the Citizens Concern for Dams and Development (CCDD) and the Action Committee Against Tipaimukh Dam Project (ACTIP)1, expresses our serious concern that the Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) of the Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF), Government of India will be considering the proposed 1500 MW Tipaimukh Multipurpose Hydroelectric Project to be build over Barak River in Manipur on 11-12 July 2013 for “forest clearance”.

The CCDD, CPNRM and ACTIP would like to apprise the MoEF of the following concerns and recommendations towards promoting sustainable development in Manipur.

* The Citizens Concern for Dams and Development (CCDD) is a forum comprising several Indigenous peoples' organizations, human rights organizations, environmentalists, community organizations and journalists, primarily formed in the year 1999 to call for a just decision making on proposed Tipaimukh dam. Some member organizations of CCDD includes the Naga Women’s Union, All Manipur United Clubs Organization, Centre for Research and Advocacy Manipur, Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights, Kuki Movement for Human Rights etc, Mapithel Dam Affected Villagers Organization, Centre for Social Development etc. The Action Committee against Tipaimukh Dam (ACTIP) was formed exclusively to campaign against the Tipaimukh multipurpose project and comprises of community organizations from all over Manipur. Some member organization of ACTIP includes the United Peoples Front, the Zeliangrong Students Union, Manipur, HERICOUN etc. The Committee on the Protection of Natural Resources in Manipur (CPNRM) was formed in July 2012 and comprising several community organizations and indigenous peoples’ organizations from all over Manipur, including from Tamenglong and Churachandpur District, which are most affected by the proposed Tipaimukh Dam. Some of the member organizations of CPNRM include the Sinlung Indigenous Peoples Human Rights Organization, All Zeliangrong Students Union, Centre for Research and Advocacy, Manipur, Committee on Land and Natural Resources, JAC on protection of Hydrocarbon Resources, Human Rights Initiative etc.