50 % rivers destroyed in the name of Development
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, March 14 2013: "Fifty percent of the rivers in the world are being destroyed by we, human beings, in the name of taking up developmental projects and construction of dams", exclaimed Dr RK Ranjan, Chairperson of Citizens Concern for Dams and Development.

Dr RK Ranjan was speaking on the occasion of International Rivers' Day observance organised under the joint aegis of Mapithel Dam Affected Villages Organisation (MDAVO), Committee on Protection of Natural Resources in Manipur (CPNRM) and Citizens Concern for Dams and Development at Yangwuikong in Thoyee village of Ukhrul district today.

He further stated that Mapithel Dam, which is being constructed by the government, needs to be discussed and understood whether it is really for the welfare of the people residing around the Dam site or not.

If at all the project is for the welfare of the people, then why the villagers of Chadong and Rihai villages are not being allowed to enter the dam area, he questioned.

International Rivers' Day observance at Yangwuikong in Thoyee village of Ukhrul

Prohibiting the villagers from entering their place of birth is a clear case of rights violation and this is certainly not a step towards development, Dr Ranjan added. Elaborating on the negative aspect of Mapithel Dam, Dr Ranjan asserted that all the natural beauty of the area would be totally destroyed by the Dam.

Moreover, a variety of fishes available in Thoubal River would be wiped out.

The most saddening part is that the Dam would take over vast tract of agricultural lands and forest area on which villages have depended for sustenance since time immemorial.

As such, we all need to stand against construction of Mapithel Dam and let the Thoubal river flow freely or else the people of the State is sure to face shortage of food products in near future, he warned.

Samir Mehta, Director of International Rivers South Asia, who was also present on the occasion, said that the problems that are to be faced by the people living in and around the proposed site of Mapithel Dam needs to be highlighted in media and made it known internationally.

As a part of the observation, a public rally was carried out to register protest against construction of Mapithel Dam.

A number of resolutions were also adopted on the occasion.

The resolutions included proceeding with the process of the Expert Committee formed by the State Government in 2008, immediate halt of the construction process of Mapithel Dam, to give immediate relief to the Dam affected people of the area, etc.

The observance function was also attended by Jiten Yumnam, Secretary of CCDD/CPNRM; Thanmi Kashun, Convener of MDAVO; Aram Pamei, President of Naga Women's Union and others.

On the other hand, International Rivers' Day was observed jointly by nine different CSOs of the State at Sekmai today.

The event was attended by Devabratta Roy, Convener of CORE; O Rajendro, Convener of Loktak Lake Committee and Amubi Devi, Secretary of Advanced Research Society among others.