Mapithel Dam MDAVO accuses State Govt and Centre
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, September 25 2013:
The Mapithel Dam Affected Villagers' Organisation (MDAVO) has accused the Centre as well as State Government of blatanly violating the Forest Conservation Act, 1980 in the construction of Mapithel (Maphou) Dam, a part of the multi-crore Thoubal Multipurpose Project.
Speaking to media persons here today, Chairman of MDAVO, R Sakathan said the project was initiated in 1990 following approval from the Planning Commission in 1980.However, after 30 years of receiving the approval, the Govt of Manipur had only sought Stage-I Forest Clearance from the Ministry of Environment and Forest.
Besides, the State Government has sought Stage-II forest clearance from the MoEF before Stage-I forest clearance for diversion of 595 hectares of forest land was given, Sakathan said.
In 2006, the MoEF had sent a missive to the then Chief Secretary of the State seeking a compliance report of forest clearance.
Neither the State authority furnished the compliance report nor the Ministry re-sent any reminder in this regard, Sakathan asserted while contending that both the Centre and State Govts have been violating the provisions of the Forest Conservation Act, 1980 .
He questioned why the State Govt had sent the compliance report of Stage-I Forest Clearance only in August this year following a complaint lodged by the victims to the National Green Tribunal of the Supreme Court in June this year.
The Sangai Express had carried a story on Sep 24 that the Forest Department has suspended any further work on the Thoubal Multipurpose Project for not obtaining the mandatory forest clearance and environmental clearance before executing the project.
At the same time, the Planning Commission of India in September last year had already intimated the State Planning Department that the Plan Accounts of the Thoubal Multipurpose project would be closed on March 31, 2015 .
Sakathan further said that there are many unresolved grievances regarding the project.
Pointing out that the measures for rehabilitation and resettlement of the victims are void, the MDAVO chairman said the Expert Review Committee set up in 2008 did not go to the site to study the full scale impact assessment on forest.
He also rued that the rights of indigenous communities are violated and no informed and prior consent of the affected people were obtained before starting the project.
Although the project which was initially approved for Rs 47 crore in 1980, it has now, with subsequent revisions, reached Rs 1387.85 crore as per 2011 price.
However, the amount for rehabilitation and resettlement remained the same, he said.
It is worth mentioning that the components of the project included construction of earth filled dam across the Thoubal river with a length of 1120 metres and 66 metres height.
It will generate 7.5 megawatt of power and 10 million gallons of potable water daily.
Comment
