CSOs object construction of Dibang Dam in Arunachal
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, October 13 2014:
Various civil society organizations of the State including North East Dialogue Forum, People's Platform Secretariat, Village Women Coordinating Committee, People's Action for Development and Social Action Committee have objected the construction of Dibang Dam in Arunachal Pradesh.
According to a statement issued by North East Dialogue Forum, Dibang Dam is going to be the highest concrete dam in Asia.
The foundation stone for the construction of this dam was laid by the scholar, economist and former Prime Minister of India, Dr.Manmohan Singh on January 31, 2008.It is clear to everyone that the dam is to be financed by the World Bank.
It said that what banks do is to work for the profit.
A question arises as to why the indigenous people like Idu-Mismi should sacrifice for the profit of banks which finance dam construction.
The Dibang dam is planned on concrete gravity, located in the Lower Dibang Valley District of Arunachal Pradesh.
At the time of its future completion, it would be the largest and the world's tallest Concrete Dam, standing 288 metres (945 ft) tall.
The Dibang Dam is expected to provide up to 3000MW of hydro electric power and also assist in flood control in the Dibang Valley.
In 2013, the Ministry of Environment and Forest rejected the project's application but NHPC limited resubmitted proposal in 2014.Recently, the Ministry of Environment and Forest, Government of in India has issued Environment clearance under the present Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, though the official order is yet to be seen.
The dam has also been strongly opposed by local and international bodies considering its potential negative environment impacts and forced relocation, the statement mentioned.
According to the report of the Telegraph dated April 20, 2014, NHPC has informed the Arunachal Pradesh Government of requirement for 5022.842 hectares of forest instead of 5056.50 to be cleared in the proposed dam construction.
Large areas claimed by the company fall under the Mehau Wildlife Sanctuary.
The Project was taken over by NHPC from Bramhaputra Board in 2002. Since, 2007 people in Upper Assam like Tinsukia and All Assam Student Union (AASU) has been vehemently protesting against the Dibang Dam and its potential impact to the People in downstream.
They were not allowed to take part at public hearing at Roing.
This is the clear violation of Free, Fair and informed Consent manifested by UN Declaration of Rights of Indigenous Peoples and ILO convention -107. It is notable that Dibang Multipurpose Project (3000MW) is being conceived on Dibang river which originates from the snow-covered southern flank of Himalaya close to the Tibet border at an altitude of more than 5000 metres.
The river emerges from the hills and enters the plain area near Nizamghat in Arunachal Pradesh, from where the river flows a distance of 50km to meet the in Manipur and Lower Subansiri in Arunachalm Pradesh, the statement said.
Further, condemning the activities of NHPC to construct the Dibang Dam, the CSOs have made a charter of demands to the Government to set up a high-level internal expert penal to form and investigate against NHPC and construction of Dibang Dam; respect and protect the rights of the indigenous people to use their land, forest, water as part of their self-determination to decide what kind of development people want to have; conduct a research on social, economic and cultural impact on the Upstream and Downstream of the Debang Dam by engaging neutral Expert from University in Arunachal Pradesh and Assam or Manipur; stop violation of the mandate of UN Special Rapporteur of Indigenous People, UN Committee on Elimination of Racial Discrimination, Special Rapporteur on Business and Human Rights; provide free, prior, informed consent under the guide lines of the UN Declaration on the Rights of the Indigenous People; provide electricity to the people through mini-hydro project instead of Mega Dams; and establish Special Investigation Team to investigate against the Government of Arunachal Pradesh and NHPC on the issue of how their planning procedures are process.
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