Sekmai Turel Kansi
International Day of Action against Dams, for Rivers, Water

Imphal, 19 March 2013

International Day of Action against Dams, for Rivers, Water and Life Programme at Sekmai River on March 14

International Day of Action against Dams, for Rivers, Water and Life Programme , Manipur,
India 14 March 2013
Sekmai Turel Kansi
(Save Sekmai River)

Organised by:
1. Advance Women's Society, Awang Sekmai (an umbrella body of women's organisations from 14 Leikai/boroughs of Sekmai)
2. All Loktak Lake Areas Fishermen's Union (ALLFUM)
3. Centre for Organisation Research & Education (CORE)
4. Environment & Human Development (EHUD)
5. EREIMA Gender Empowerment and Resource Centre
6. Forum for Indigenous Perspectives & Action (FIPA)
7. Gorkha Jyoti Youth Club (GJYC), Kanglatongbi
8. Manipur Cycle Club (MCC)
9. Human to Humane Transcultural Centre for Torture and Trauma (H2H)
10. United Peoples' Front (UPF)

The International Day of Action against Dams, for Rivers, Water and Life was observed on the 14th March, 2013 with volunteers of several civil and local bodies organizing a public meeting on the theme 'Save Sekmai Turel' event on Sekmai River at Awang Sekmai, Manipur. Bringing together community organizations, individuals, CSOs and local clubs for this historic task of saving a river on this earth, the event was an unique effort - a heartwarming one - to save a river - to save many rivers - to save earth!

During the introductory address, Dr Laifungbam Debabrata Roy, Convenor of CORE invoked the local ancestral deities of Koujeng Leima and Pakhangba, informed the gathering about the history of the international day and gave an overview of the historical and cultural links between the river and the people of Manipur. The Sekmai River is one of the largest flowing rivers of Manipur and belongs to the Chindwin-Irrawaddy Basin. Throughout most of its course in the Manipur Valley, it is known as Imphal River or Turel Achouba (Big River).

Its waters flow into the Loktak-Ikop Wetlands of the southern Manipur Valley before leaving the valley via Ethai and Chingnunghoot. The Loktak is a Ramsar designated site since 1990, and is the only one among 26 Ramsar sites in India that is in the Montreux Record as a wetland under serious threats. According to the 2nd century treatise (154 AD), Tutenglon Puya, the two sons of Khuyoi Tompok, the ancient chiefs, Yoimomba and Taothingmang personally participated in the dredging of the rivers in Meitrabak (i.e. Manipur). It flows through the ancient sacred citadel of Kangla Pungmayol in Imphal.

"Nong-goubi! Nong-goubi!
Saari Kambong
Tuirel Leinaasé"
[Nong-goubi, Nong-goubi
Engrossed in house-keeping
Come let's cleanse our river]

The ancient rhyme based on a folk-story reminds the Meitei of Manipur, India, of the "rain-thirsty bird" (the crow-pheasant) – the totem bird of the Meitei Nation (Manipur) – who was too busy looking after her children to take part when all the animals, birds and people were working to maintain and clean the ancient waterways (tuirel, khong, khongban) and dykes (torban) system, that made human habitation and agriculture possible in the Manipur or Imphal valley - the ancestral lands of the Meitei, occupying a central water-shed in the Indo-Burma region. Nong-Goubi, as the story tells us, was punished and prohibited from using the water and she had to wait for the rains each year. Dr Laifungbam said that no one can afford to be a Nong-Goubi today.

Other speakers emphasized that as a critical component of keeping our rivers healthy and flowing free, we need to focus our collective attention on the upstream quality of our rivers so that our pats/wetlands are preserved and their ecological services value enhanced. The event was in continuation of a campaign launched earlier this year by civil society organisations to keep the Sekmai River clean and rehabilitate its severely degraded state. Ramananda Wangkheirakpam of FIPA drew attention to the despoiled state of the watershed and catchment areas, and how urgent action must also include the preservation and revitalization of these critical zones that ensure the perennial flow of the river.

Oinam Rajen of the All Loktak Lake Areas Fishermen's Union shared the tragedy of the Loktak Lake, downstream of the river, and the continuing woes of the indigenous Meitei fishing community facing dispossession, displacement, evictions and destruction of properties for the past three decades.

Privatization and the entry of corporate bodies, he said, have been the most serious threat to rivers and lakes, and the government is a partner to their activities by facilitating entry, exploitation and exclusion of the people who have been the custodians of the waters for centuries. He asserted that people from all walks of life must now be alert and prepared for a long fight to keep our rivers free from dambuilders, draconian regulations and individuals after profit. Puyamayum Yaima Shah, President of UPF proposed a people's regime for positive change and action.

Ima Amubi, Secretary of Advance Women's Society remembered this river in its natural state when she was a young woman. Filled with nostalgia, she spoke of the clear sweet waters of the Sekmai River, the many kinds of fish that used to be found there. Sekmai River is famous as a location for leisure and pleasure (picnic spot) for the people of Manipur. She and Ima Shanti, the President of the women's society recounted how the continuous indiscriminate sand and stone removal by private operators and contractors has resulted in severe degradation of the river. The river is now known to be under severe threat from the sand and stone miners and the myriads of picnickers who seem to have no interest in the iver except to dump their garbage after their very short version of taking pleasure from the river.

Stone and sand miners have local interest, of few, who refuse to talk about 'saving' the river as it can affect their profit. Local groups like Meira Paibi and even Youth Clubs have tried to show their concern for restraining miners and picnickers but past efforts have been subdued by profiteers using strong-arm tactics.

The gathered people decided to take a plunge to stop the current trend from continuing and find a solution to the crisis. A public consultation meeting is planned after the forthcoming festival of the ancestral deity, Koujeng Leima, to include many local community stakeholders, river experts, environmentalists, local bodies and NGOs for the formulation of a community action plan to save the Sekmai River.

See a photo gallery here