Consultation programme on Barak held at Zuimi
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 23 2015:
The Zeliangrong Land Preservation Committee organized a consultation programme on protection of Barak river at Zuimi village in Senapati district.
The programme was organized to discuss the importance and the role of Barak river in sustaining the livelihood and ways of life of indigenous people and also to discuss all the development processes that have affected the natural flow of Barak river, said a statement.
James, Secretary, Zeliangrong Land Preservation Committee, shared how Barak river sustained the lives and survival of indigenous communities in Senapati district.
He said that the proposed 67 MW Khongnem Chakha dam would lead to immense suffering among communities dependant on the river.
He stressed the need to recognize the traditional rights of indigenous communities over their land and resources and to refrain from constructing this mega project without their consent by the State Government and North Eastern Electric Power Corporation (NEEPCO) .
Jiten Yumnam, secretary, Centre for Research and Advocacy, Manipur spoke on how the Government of Manipur had already signed an MoU with a power company to build four mega dams in the rivers of Manipur, especially in Barak river and its tributaries.
The proposed 67 MW Khongnem Chakha dam would lead to submergence of around 2000 hectares of prime agriculture land and another thousands of forest land along 19 villages.
In his keynote address, Sanaton Laishram, president of CRAM stressed how development projects such as mega dams affect the lives of the indigenous people of Manipur.
He said that large scale development projects would lead to multiple human rights violations.
He stressed the need for adhering to the principle of the right to free, prior and informed consent of indigenous communities before undertaking all development projects.
A protest demonstration was also organized demanding free flow of Barak river and halting of Khongem Chakha dam construction at Zuimi village.