World's Indigenous Peoples Day at Leibi Village
9th August 2022
World's Indigenous Peoples Day at Leibi Village
The Centre for Research and Advocacy, Manipur, Reach-M and the Leibi Village Authority jointly organized the World’s Indigenous Peoples Day at Leibi Village, Manipur on 9th August 2022. An awareness programme on indigenous peoples’ rights, environment, health and on POCSO Act was organized as part of the celebration of indigenous peoples day.
Mr. Themson Jajo, Environmentalist, in his sharing highlighted the importance of celebration of indigenous peoples’ day and stressed need for recognition of indigenous peoples’ rights over their land and resources and for a detailed comprehensive social, environmental, cultural impact assessment before pursuing development projects in Manipur.
Highlighting the experience as a victim of Mapithel dam, he suggested that indigenous peoples should value the importance of sustainable management natural heritage. Development process should be just and serve the needs of the communities and not for the corporations. The UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, 2007 should be fully implemented.
World's Indigenous Peoples Day at Leibi Village
Mr. Gunrei Kamei, Environmentalist also shared how the pursuance of mega infrastructure project, such as Trans Asian Railway Works in Tamenglong caused social and environmental impacts. Railway works has been pursued without adequately assessing the social impacts and soil condition of Manipur, which led to avoidable disasters, such as the landslide at Marangjing Village, Manipur in July 2022 that claimed the lives of more than 50 people. The people of Manipur should draw lessons from such adverse implications of mega infrastructure projects.
Mr. Jiten Yumnam, Secretary, CRA, Manipur shared how land, forest, rivers of Manipur has been source of life for indigenous peoples. Introduction of India’s Act East Policy has led to targeting of indigenous peoples land and resources, such as through energy project, extractive industries, large infrastructure projects, often with the financing of international financial institutions, like ADB, World Bank. These failed to respect indigenous peoples’ rights and led to land alienation, impoverishment and myriad contestations and conflicts among indigenous peoples.
The participants of the celebration affirmed that indigenous people land, forest, river and water bodies are source of livelihood and live for indigenous peoples and that the Government of India and Manipur should fully recognize indigenous peoples’ rights in Manipur.
The participants also affirmed that all development processes, including introduction of policies and programmes affecting indigenous peoples should be introduced only with their consultation and consent. The participants also called for a self-determined development process that respect and recognize the rights of indigenous peoples of Manipur and to implement the UNDRIP 2007.
World's Indigenous Peoples Day at Leibi Village
(Sanaton Laishram)
President
Centre for Research and Advocacy, Manipur
Jupiter Yambem Centre,
Paona Bazar, Imphal,
Manipur, India 795001
www.cramanipur.wordpress.com
* This Press Release was sent to e-pao.net by Centre for Research and Advocacy, Manipur who can be contacted at cra(DOT)manipur(AT)gmail(DOT)com
This Press Release was posted on 10 August 2022
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