International Day of Action for Rivers and Against Dams on 14 March 2014

12 March 2014

A river : landscape of Manipur taken by Bullu Raj in 2011

A joint press release and program detail on the occasion of the the International Day of Action for Rivers and Against Dams on 14 March 2014 jointly
organized by Centre for Organisation Research and Education (CORE)
in collaboration with
North East India Outlook (NEIO),
North East Peoples’ Alliance (NEPA) and
Indigenous Perspectives (IP)
are planning to organise a 1 (one) day river cleaning and grassroots level public consultation program
at Saidan Bridge, Saidan Village, Churachandpur, Manipur
on 14th March 2014
with the sub-theme “Save the Khuga River- Save Churachandpur!”.

And In conjunction to the program at the Khuga River in Churachandpur,
another program with the sub-theme
“Save the Khordak River and its Sister Rivers: Decommission Khordak Dam and Ithai Dam”
will be held at Khordak Nimai Panjeng, Thanga
organised jointly by
CORE, ALLAFUM, IP, KWYO, KIC, SAYO, YASOK,
in association with: -
ACTIP, AMUCO, COHR, FRIENDS, HRI, NEPA, IPSA, NEDF, NIPCO, PRDA, PALNRO, REACHOUT & UCM.

Namdithiu Pamei
Deputy Director
Centre for Organisation Research and Education
First Floor, Ibotombi Building
Opposite 1st MR Ground
Babupara Imphal- 795001
Manipur INDIA
Phone: +91-385 244 1319 Email: [email protected]

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF ACTION FOR RIVERS
14th March 2014

March 14 is the International Day of Action for Rivers and Against Dams. Every year, thousands of people around the world lift their voices to celebrate the world's rivers and those who struggle to protect them. The International Day of Action for Rivers is a day to celebrate victories such as dam removal and river restoration. It is a day to take to the streets, demonstrate and demand improvements in the policies and practices of decision makers. It is a day to educate one another about the threats facing our rivers, and learn about better water and energy solutions. Above all, it is a day to unite – by acting together; we demonstrate that these issues are not merely local, but global in scope. The global theme for this year is “Rivers Unite Us”.

Given the serious threat to the rivers and wetlands of Manipur and to the life of the peoples dependent on them due to mismanagement, lack of a sense of ownership and responsibilities among the peoples and the government, the Centre for Organisation Research and Education (CORE) in collaboration with North East India Outlook (NEIO), North East Peoples’ Alliance (NEPA) and Indigenous Perspectives (IP) are planning to organise a 1 (one) day river cleaning and grassroots level public consultation program at Saidan Bridge, Saidan village, Churachandpur, Manipur on 14th March 2014 with the sub-theme “Save the Khuga River- Save Churachandpur!”.

In conjunction to the program at the Khuga River in Churachandpur, another program with the sub-theme “Save the Khordak River and its Sister Rivers: Decommission Khordak Dam and Ithai Dam” will be held at Khordak Nimai Panjeng, Thanga organised jointly by CORE, ALLAFUM, IP, KWYO, KIC, SAYO, YASOK, in association with: - ACTIP, AMUCO, COHR, FRIENDS, HRI, NEPA, IPSA, NEDF, NIPCO, PRDA, PALNRO, REACHOUT & UCM.

As part of a bigger campaign to save the rivers and wetlands of Manipur and conserve the fragile environment that is on the brink of man-made destruction, these programs hopes to bring together peoples, government officials, local clubs and other stakeholders who play a pivotal role as caretakers of the rivers and wetlands and to ensure their continued survival.

(Dr. IMMANUEL Z VARTE)
On behalf of Organising Committee

“Save the Khordak River and its Sister Rivers: Decommission Khordak Dam and Ithai Dam”

PROGRAM

12:20 pm - 12:30 pm Gathering of invitees and delegates
12:30pm – 12:45 pm Welcome and Keynote address
12:45pm – 02:00 pm Short speech:
1. O. Bikramjit, ACTIP
2. Joy Chingakham, FRIENDS
3. Phulindro Konsam, COHR
4. Salam Rajesh, IMPACT TV
5. Dr. Mani, AMUCO
6. E. Johnson, IPSA
7. Sunil Karam, NIPCO
8. Maibram Sunildro, PALNRO
9. Dr. Debabrata Roy Laifungbam CORE/H2H
02:00 pm – 02:30 pm Interaction
02:30pm – 02:50 pm 2 minute each sharing if any
02:50pm - 03:00 pm Vote of thanks
Light refreshment

“Save the Khuga River- Save Churachandpur!”

TENTATIVE PROGRAM

Venue: Saidan Bridge, Saidan village, Churachandpur, Manipur
09:00 AM
Arrival of Participants and Registration
09:30 AM
Inaugural Prayer
- Pastor Thangdeivel
09:35 AM
Welcome Address
- Mr. Timothy Zote, President, NEIO
09:40 AM
Keynote Address
- Mr. Ramananda Wangheirakpam, Coordinator, NEPA
10:00 AM
Speech from Chief Guest
- Shri. S. Nengkhanlun, General Secretary, Manipur Hills Journalist Union (MHJU)
10:15 AM
River Cleanup
12:30 PM
Public Consultation
- Moderator: Dr. Immanuel Zarzosang Varte, Executive Director, CORE
01:30 PM

Vote of Thanks
- Mr/Ms.
01:40 PM
Lunch