MDAVO fires salvo at MoEF on Mapithel
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, January 11 2014 :
The Mapithel Dam Affected Villages Organization (MDAVO) has vehemently condemned the Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF), Government of India for conceding final stage II Forest Clearance for Mapithel Dam construction in Manipur under 'fraudulent conditions' on December 31 .
In a statement, the MDAVO said the matter of forest diversion of 596 hac does not come to the knowledge of the affected land owners till today and the compensatory afforestation planned over twice the area to be submerged is also not informed to the affected communities.
It also objected the granting of forest clearance without proper impact assessment on environment, ecology, social, economic, cultural, health perspective of the project by the implementing authority and agency.
Taking strong exception to
demanded that the Union Ministry of Environment and Forest should revoke its letter to the Government of Manipur sent on December 31 conceding the final stage II Forest Clearance for Mapithel Dam to ensure social and economic justice in the land.
It also demanded the MoEF should insist on its recommendations to the Government of Manipur to apply the Forest Rights Act, 2006 and take prior consent of the traditional institutions of the affected communities.