International Rivers Day at Kangoi Area, Manipur

14th March 2020

A Maring women sharing on protection of Sengvai River at International Rivers Day at Kangoi on 14 March 20

The Kangoi Khullen and Kangoi Khunnou Village Authorities, the Centre for Research and Advocacy, Manipur (CRA) and the Citizens Concern for Dams and Development celebrated the international Rivers Day at Kangoi Irangpham, Tengnoupal District, Manipur on 14th March with the theme “Let the Rivers Flow Free in Manipur”.

The celebration of International Rivers day aims to foster the importance of Rivers in sustaining the lives of communities and health of the ecosystem in Manipur.

Mr. Sanaton Laishram, President of CRA, Manipur presenting the keynote shared that the celebration of international rivers day is to protect the health of Rivers and to prevent all forms of unsustainable development that destroyed the health of rivers. He also said the River Day is also held to rethink the pattern of introduction of unsustainable development such as targeting Rivers for uncontrolled pollution, construction of hydropower projects and to ensure the free flow of rivers in Manipur.

Christina CRA sharing on protection of Rivers at International Rivers Day at Kangoi on 14 March 20

Ms. Aram Pamei, Co-Chairperson, Citizens Concern for Dams and Development stressed the importance of rivers, land, forest etc that sustained the lives and the cultures of indigenous communities over generations.

She stressed the importance of promoting our traditional practices and cultures that supported the sustainable management of land and resources. She expressed concern with the destructive development practices, such as construction of large dams that severed the relationship of communities with rivers, forest and their land. She said land is life and encouraged the communities to rejuvenate their age-old traditional practices for sustainable management of land and resources.

Mr. Themson Jajo, environmental activist shared his experiences of adverse impacts of Mapithel dam. He said the Mapithel dam submerged their agriculture land, forest and river and causing widespread displacement in Mapithel areas in Kamjong District, Manipur. Mr. Themson stressed that Dams are unsustainable and hence should not be encouraged in Kangoi area and other parts of Manipur.

Ms. Christina Pakuangte shared how Khuga dam lay defunct in Churachandpur areas in Manipur.

Let the Rivers flow free - NO to dams in Manipur - at International Rivers Day at Kangoi on 14 March 20

R. Muikham of the All Tribal Women Organization shared that Rivers are living entities much like a human body with heart and soul. The flow of Rivers is like the flow of blood and heartbeat in human body. As rivers sustained life and the health of climate, Rivers should be protected. Communities should take care of Rivers and the catchment areas by planting more trees and stopping deforestation.

Mr. Jiten Yumnam, Secretary of CRA, Manipur expressed concern with the Government’s plan to build the Kangoi multipurpose project over the Sengvai River in Tengnoupal District, Manipur.

He also explained that dams in Manipur like the Khuga dam, Khoupum dam etc are lying defunct without serving any purpose despite wasting huge public money and destroying peoples land and livelihood He urged the Government to rescind its plan to build more than thirty dams over the Rivers of Manipur.

The participants of Rivers Day celebration resolved to urge the Government to ensure the free flow of all Rivers of Manipur and to stop plans for construction of hydropower projects like Kangoi Dam over Sengvai River, 190 MW Pabram Dam over Barak River, 66 MW Loktak Downstream Project over the Leimatak River etc over the Rivers of Manipur.

The International Rivers day celebration also resolved to strengthen efforts for free flow of Rivers and protest forest, land and other resources in Manipur.

Let the Rivers flow free in Manipur - at International Rivers Day at Kangoi on 14 March 20

(Sanaton Laishram)
President
Centre For Research And Advocacy, Manipur
Jupiter Yambem Centre,
Paona Bazar,
Imphal Manipur India 795001
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