Mapithel Dam & its impact on Chadong

Meena Longjam *

Mapithel Dam & its impact on Chadong :: Pix - Hueiyen Lanpao

Chadong is a small village located in Phungyar-Phaisat Sub Division of Ukhrul district, Manipur with total 212 families residing. The Chadong Village has population of 1027 of which 547 are males while 480 are females as per Population Census 2011.

The Thoubal River Valley Multipurpose project, now known as Mapithel Dam, is a mega dam in Ukhrul district of Manipur located in Northeastregion part of India. The project has been undertaken by the Government of Manipur’s Irrigation and Flood Control Department (IFCD), with assistance from the central government. Construction began in 1989 (although it was first proposed in the early part of 1970s), amidst heavy protests from those to be affected by the dam.

In 1990, the Mapithel Dam Affected Villages Organisation (MDAVO) was formed, mostly by villages that fell within the submergence area. Downstream villages in the valley that would be affected by the changed river flow were as yet not a part of the struggle. At this time MDAVO also did not have the support of all the villages to be submerged.

However, in 2008, these villages formed the Mapithel Dam Affected Ching-Tam (hill-valley) Organisation (MDACTO), bringing together even those who had at first cooperated with the project authorities. The eventual resistance of these villages after 28 years of approval underlines the failure of the state to address the concerns of affected communities.

MDAVO has been demanding appropriate and equitable compensations to be given according to the reports of the Expert Review Committee, set upon 18th January 2008 with the Commissioner of Irrigation and Flood Control Department (IFCD) as its chairman, to examine the review of R&R programme of the affected villages.

The project is implemented in Mapithel area in Phungyar subdivision of Ukhrul district targeting to irrigate 21,000 hectares of cultivable land besides giving 10 million gallons of drinking water every day and supply 7.5 MW of power. It is one of the biggest dams in the Northeast India. It is 66 meter high and 1034 meter long.

The main purpose of the project is to utilize the water resource of the Yangwui Kong (Local name) river which originates in the western hill slopes of Shirui Hills and Hoomi in the Ukhrul District. Both the rivers joined at Lamlang village, flowing through the Thoubal District before joining the Imphal River at Irong Ichil.

History of resistance

In a major protest towards the end of the decade, trucks and machines of IFCD were burnt in opposition to the forceful implementation of the project. Large numbers of villagers were arrested and several were beaten up in lockup, while others were given electric shocks, a method of torture that has become commonplace in Manipur.

Possible settlements

Continued resistance from the villagers forced the Government of Manipur to sit down for talks in 1993. At the meeting on June 19, 1993, a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) was signed between affected villagers, represented by MDAVO, and the Government of Manipur. According to the MoA, the process of Rehabilitation and Resettlement (R&R) was to be completed within two years of signing the agreement.

Several downstream villages came together to form the Mapithel Dam Construction Area Committee. The committee extended cooperation to the project authorities. Villages like Louphong now stands by the dam site decided to accept the compensation offered by the state and moved to its current location in 1989-90.

The actual settlements

The compensation offered by the State was in the form of money to be given in seven instalments spread over 6-7 years. Now, apart of MDACTO, these villages have now come to realize the promises made by the State were false.

The quality of life has deteriorated as a result of the combined effects of relocation, dam construction and militarization thus rendering the nature of monetary compensation a farce. Finally, after the Government dragged on the compensation process for more than 20 years, MDACTO joined hands with MDAVO in demanding a review of the R&R policy.

The present catastrophes, impact

Environmental and socio-economic impacts include:
o extinction of Chadong Village;
o biodiversity affected at large;
o artificial calamities;
o floods of agricultural lands and habitats;
o deforestation and loss of vegetation;
o fertile land wasted; large loss of livelihood;
o water borne diseases looming;
o depressed and traumatized victims;
o displacements and separations and violations of human rights.

Immediate actions and support

More numbers of Boats, canoes and waterways means are required immediately. A medical team should be stationed for facilitating vaccinations and immediate healthcare as water borne diseases looming at large. There is need for a team of disaster management assisted by the government. Proper evacuation and restoration of basic amenities are required at the moment besides providing alternative livelihood to the villagers as distinct from their traditional occupations like farming.