Discussion on dams, climate change held
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, April 11 2012:
The people of the State are tolerating the existence of Loktak Multi purpose Project even if only 12 percent of the power derived from it is used in the State.
This was stated by Chairperson of Citizen Action for Dams and Development, Dr RK Ranjan while speaking at a one-day discourse on Dams and Climate Change Solutions: Issues and Challenge today at Hotel Imphal.
Stating that mega hydro-electric projects have badly affected the region, Dr RK Ranjan has also drawn the attention of intellectuals of the State towards this end.
He also challenge the consciousness of the people of the State in being able to tolerate the existence of Loktak Hydro-electric project which is constructed at the cost of lives, livelihood, land, resources, environment and forest, and fauna of the region.
He pointed out that the construction of Loktak Hydro-electric project and construction of Ithai Barrage badly affected the eco-system of Loktak Lake.
It also rendered many farmers to give up their occupation.
A report, based on a study conducted by Jiten Yumnam of CCDD in the North East, was also released during the programme.
According to the report entitled, An assessment of Dams in India's NE: Seeking Carbon Credits From Clean Development Mechanism of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, there are 168 mega dams in the North East.
In contrast with the assurance given by big companies saying that mega dams give more benefit to the people, the report said that the mega dams do more harm to the people.
In the event of construction of dams, the guidelines of World Commission of Dam should be fulfilled, Jiten said adding that none of the dam in the NE has fulfilled the guidelines
of the UN.
Besides, the rights of the indigenous people as envisaged by the UN were violated.
Citing a research findings, Director of CORE, Dr Debrabatta Roy Laifungbam said that mega dams have produced carbon dioxide and methane.
U Nobokishore of CSD Centre stressed that public consent should be taken first in the event of constructing mega dams.
He said that no forcible public hearing should be conducted.
General Secretary of All Loktak Lake Fishermen's Union, Oinam Rajen and other resource persons also spoke on the occasion.