CCDD denounces
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, January 10 2014 :
The Citizens Concern for Dams and Development (CCDD) has expressed its discontentment with the Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF), Government of India for conceding final Stage II Forest Clearance for Mapithel Dam on December 31 .
In a statement, the CCDD said it is highly unfortunate that the MoEF conceded both Stage I and Stage II 'Forest Clearance' without conducting any site visits to the affected areas and without full adherence to Forest Rights Act, 2006 (FRA, 2006) .
It also condemned the Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA), Government of India for including highly objectionable 'exemptions' to the application of Forest Right Act, 2006 in the case of Mapithel Dam construction, under which, will mandatorily require taking consent of the traditional institutions of the affected communities.
''The act of Tribal Ministry is an act of double standard and discrimination against the indigenous tribal peoples of Manipur,'' the statement said.
Further, the CCDD urged the Minsitry of Environment and Forest to revoke the State II Forest Clearance for Mapithel Dam and take consent of traditional bodies of communities affected by the dam construction.