International Day of Action for Rivers
CRAM voices stand against proposed dams
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, March 13 2019:
On the occasion of the International Day of Action for Rivers 2019, Centre for Research and Advocacy, Manipur (CRAM) has voiced its stand against the "Government's plan to build 190 MW Pabram Dam, 66 MW Irang Dam and 67 MW Khongnem Chakha Dam etc along the Barak river and Irang river".
CRAM in a statement today expressed concern that rivers in Manipur are increasingly subjected to hydro power projects by corporate bodies and the Government negating their importance.
Hydro power projects in Manipur, such as the Khuga Dam, Khoupum Dam, Mapithel Dam, Tipaimukh Dam, Loktak Project etc are plagued with widespread social and environment impacts.
These projects submerged agriculture and forest areas which indigenous communities depend for their livelihood and survival while also affecting the habitation of endemic flora and fauna of Manipur.
Many of the dams like Khuga dam and Khoupum dam have "failed to perform their defined objectives and failed to provide power and water supply for the communities".
Rather, these dams continue to unleash widespread devastation and social impacts.
The Mapithel dam has affected the livelihood of communities in both upstream and downstream of Thoubal river, said CRAM.
"Despite the destruction caused by the existing dams and the persisting unaccountability of the dam building companies and the Government, the Government of Manipur is planning to construct the 190 MW Pabram dam, the 66 MW Irang dam, the 67 MW Khongnem Chakha dam etc along the Barak river and Irang river without recognizing the rights of indigenous communities over their land and resources and without considering the adverse impacts, failure and underperformances of previously commissioned dams.
These proposed projects while failing to obtain the free and prior informed consent of the affected communities, will further aggravate the social and environment and climate crisis in Manipur," CRAM asserted.
CRAM also shed light on the condition of the rivers in Imphal.
CRAM asserted that uncontrolled dumping of waste has rendered the Nambul river hazardous for consumption and killed it.
The Government should ensure the free flow of Thoubal river, Barak river, Manipur river etc and rescind all plans to construct unsustainable hydro power projects over rivers in Manipur.
"It is high time to prevent further destruction of our rivers and leave the rivers to flow freely for the present and coming generations of Manipur," CRAM said.