Consultation programme on Mapithel Dam held
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 03 2014:
The Mapithel Dam Affected Villages Organisation (MDAVO) conducted a one-day consultation programme on tribal rights on land and forest with special reference to affected catchment areas due to Mapithel dam at Thoyee village in Ukhrul district today.
About 120 participants from 14 villages which are under catchment areas due to the said project participated in the meeting.
Representatives from the villages like Khangkhui Khullen, Nungou, Tashar Shimin, Phalee, Teinem, Choithar, Ramva, Lungshang, Tashar Chalong, Nungshang, Thoyee, Riha, Ramrei, Chadong participated in the programme.
The consultation programme was held with Shimthar Jajo as chairman and MDAVO secretary T Themrei as recording secretary.
Giving his keynote, MDAVO chairman R Sakathan mentioned about the possible inconveniences likely to be faced by the affected villagers.
Saying that MDAVO is not against the dam R Sakathan demanded that villagers' rights of land ownership be given and their plights be addressed through officially constituted Expert Review Committee.
MDAVO Advisor KS Thanmi said that although tribals are to sacrifice their land, forest and river, they do no get any benefit from the project.
CRAM Convenor Jiten Yumnam said that according to information gathered through RTI, the Union Ministry of Environment and Forest did not conduct spot assessment in granting forest clearance on Mapithel Dam.
Mapithel Dam Affected Upper Range Committee Chairman Honpam Tashar said that there is need for all the affected villages coming together to stand against the project.
Resource person Max Phajang said that according to the existing law, no reserve or forest protection could be made in any tribal areas.
Any protection of forest land without the consent of the tribal is unacceptable, he added.