International Rivers week observed
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, March 16 2013 :
International Rivers Day week is being jointly observed by Committee on the Natural Resources Protection in Manipur and JAC for Protection of Hydrocarbons observed from March 12 to 17 .
As part of the observance, a protest demonstration against the Tipaimukh dam was staged along Barak River at Sibilong village today.
The protesters held placards and banners that read as 'Let the Barak River Flow Free' and 'No to Tipaimukh Dam construction' .
A press release said that Tipaimukh Dam is planned to be built over Barak River at Tipaimukh vilage and the Ministry of Environment and Forest, Government of India has granted Environment clearances to construct the dam despite vehement opposition from affected communities in Manipur, Mizoram, Assam, and further down in Bangladesh.
Communities affected by the proposed Tipaimukh Dam have also opposed the ongoing move of the Govt of India and Govt of Bangladesh to find a solution on Tipaimukh Dam and the non exclusion of affected indigenous peoples of Manipur and other upstream and downstream regions in the negotiation process.
Meetings and protest were held at Chakpi Karong at Loktak Lake and Thoyee village.
A State level convention on dams, rivers and people is to be organized at Hotel Imphal on the concluding day of the observance.