Another consultation prog on Mapithel Dam held
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, May 04 2015 :
Mapithel Dam Affected Village Organisation (MDAVO) and JAC of Mapithel Dam downstream affected people jointly held a one-day consultation programme on the theme 'Mapithel dam construction and its impact on the people in upstream and downstream' today at Khuman Lampak Youth Hostel.
Thoubal Multi Purpose Hydro Electric Project was set to start functioning from March this year.
The blocking of Thoubal River for filling up Mapithel Dam began from January 10 this year.
Extensive portions of agricultural land, grazing ground and forest areas have been submerged underwater by the reserved water, JAC member Kh Tentenba stated.
Mapithel Dam construction is in violation of Forest Rights under the Forest Conservation Act 1980 and Forest Rights Act 2006, Tentenba alleged.
The JAC has demanded the State Government to halt the blocking and filling up of Mapithel reservoir until the rehabilitation and resettlement process acceptable to the affected communities is provided, to resume the Expert Review Committee set up in 2008 by the State Government, to halt all militarization process that support Mapithel dam construction immediately, to stop all forms of involuntary displacement of indigenous people affected by the dam as per UN Declaration on Indigenous Peoples' Right, 2007 and recommendations of World Commission on Dam, 2000 and to urge the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to desist from financing the Integrated Water
Supply Scheme.
Human Rights' Initiative secretary Wahengbam Jayentakumar, while expressing disappointment with the Mapithel project suggested the State Government to halt the blocking and reserving of Thoubal river water until the completion of the rehabilitation and resettlement of affected communities.