Imphal, December 12: The Citizens' Concern for Dams and Development, CCDD has extended its appreciation to the Ministry of Environment and Forest for appraising the state government concerning the indispensability of an Environmental Impact Assessment prior to the construction or the proposed Capitol Project at Chingeirong.

In a press communiqu�, the CCDD has stated that it considers this as a positive approach towards respecting the rights of indigenous peoples of the state for sustainable existence in harmony with their environment.

The CCDD has expressed its concern that the Capitol Project lacks transparency, failing to consult and disclose detailed project report to the people and that the wetland at Chingmeirong has been filled arbitrarily without environmental impact assessment destroying the ecosystem of the wetland and symbiotic relationship between of the wetland and with the people of Chingmeirong and Thangmeiband.

The eviction efforts in nearby villages only indicates the government has been utmost irresponsible and undemocratic.

CCDD has also expressed its certainty that the government of Manipur will respond responsibly to the intimation letter of the ministry of environment and forest and that UIA for the Capitol Project will be conducted in accordance with the amendments of the environment protection act.

It further states that the amendment requires that any construction project falling under entry or schedule 1 including new townships, commercial complexes, hospitals and office complexes for one thousand persons or more or discharging sewage of 50,000 litres per day or more or with an investment of Rs 50 crores or more, should obtain environmental clearance from the ministry of environment and forests.

It has stated that the Capitol Project till cleared environmentally, the state government should put a halt immediately to all construction of the project, and that the EA should secure full participation of people of the state, especially those residing in and around the Wetlands.

The Communiqu� issued by Joseph R Hmar has also drawn the attention of both the state and the central government, in particular the ministry of environment and forest tat several mega developmental in particular, Tipaimukh Hydroelectric multipurpose propose and Loktak Downstream project, which have been pursued without proper environmental assessment.

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