Meet decides to withhold commissioning Mapithel dam, Dolaithabi Barrage
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 24 2018: Committee on the Protection of Natural Resources in Manipur (CPNRM) organised a daylong civil societies' consultation meet on protection of natural resources in the State at Manipur Press Club today.

The programme was attended by Aram Pamei, co-convenor of Citizens Concern for Dams and Development; Yumlembam Thoiba, convenor of Mapithel Dam Downstream Affected People and Phulindro Konsam, convenor of Committee on Human Rights as presidium members.

Giving key note address, Jiten Yumnam, secretary of Centre for Research and Advocacy stated that the State today confronts an increased development onslaught in the context of India's pursuance of Act East Policy.

CPNRM convenor Pamei Tingenlung stated that development has been forced on the people of the State as oil companies like the Asian Oilfield, Oil India Limited and Jubilant Energy conducted oil surveys in Tamenglong and others parts of the State without taking consent of the indigenous people.

Pamei Tingenlung contended that the ongoing Trans Asian Railway work contaminates rivers of the State and the indigenous people can no longer use the rivers due to the railway works.

Meet decides to withhold commissioning Mapithel dam, Dolaithabi Barrage

Aram Pamei who was the former president of Naga Women Union stated that Manipur is very rich in natural resources but unfortunately multinational companies and the Government have been trying to exploit the natural resources primarily oil and mineral resources like chromium and limestone without considering the livelihood dependence of communities.

She observed that pursuance of extractive industries would unleash not only environment and social impact but also trigger multifaceted conflict among and within communities.

The inter-generational survival and cultural dependence of indigenous people over land and resources have been completely undermined, she added.

Yumlembam Thoiba stated that Mapithel dam unleashed livelihood impact on communities in downstream areas besides blocking Thoubal river and sand and stone collection from the river thus leading to their impoverishment.

He claimed that the project authority failed to conduct any detailed assessment and create any alternative livelihood and rehabilitation measures for the affected communities.

Taking part in the programme, Haobijam Joy of Loktak Project Affected Areas Action Committee highlighted the impacts of the Ithai Barrage of 105 MW Loktak Hydroelectric Project, which submerged more than 80,000 acres of agriculture land.

He stated that the project authority, National Hydroelectric Power Corporation remained unaccountable for the devastation and the violations.

After having a thorough deliberation, the consultation meet adopted certain resolutions with regard to protecting natural resources in the State.

It resolved that indigenous people have the exclusive and inclusive rights over their land and natural resources, including sustainable management and use of their land and resources as per their wishes and aspirations.

It strongly resolved that the Government of Manipur should desist from commissioning Mapithel dam and Dolaithabi Barrage and consider how Khuga Dam and Khoupum dam etc failed after commissioning.

It further resolved that all plans to drill and explore oil and gas without prior consent of indigenous people should be withdrawn and all production sharing contract and production exploration license signed by Government of India and Government of Manipur with oil companies should be revoked.

Along with demanding revocation of the MoUs signed with seven mining companies for chromium and limestone mining in Ukhrul and Chandel districts in November 2017, the consultation meet urged the State Government, Gol, corporate bodies and all International financial institutions to fully recognise indigenous people's rights over their land and resources.

It also demanded all the provisions of UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People, 2007 be fully implemented in the State for decisions affecting indigenous people's land, territories, lives, rights and their future.