Dimapur, July 28 (MExN): More than a dozen civil groups from Manipur and Assam, living downstream of the proposed Tipaimukh dam on River Barak has decided to oppose the controversy-riddled dam. The organizations in a joint statement today assured to stand against the construction of the proposed dam. The organizations said the future of the people living downstream of the dam is bleak for many a good reason.
The organizations informed to have held rounds of discussions on the Tipaimukh dam, issues pertinent to upstream and downstream areas and the implications. The organizations said that the entire ecosystem, economy, identity and lives are critically linked to River Barak. “Any major change in this river system will seriously disrupt the culture, economy and livelihood in the upstream and downstream” they said.
“Furthermore, the Tipaimukh dam will impact the sediment, which are vital for the long-run sustainability of riverine (sic) ecosystem and livelihood,” the organizations said. “(The organizations) recognizes that the dam is planned on high seismic zone area and can be highly dangerous for downstream people.
If built, downstream communities will live under constant fear for generations to come and can wipe out the entire Barak valley downstream communities,” the joint statement stated. Tipaimukh Dam being a ‘unilateral step of the government of India without consultation and consent of the people in downstream of the dam,’ was also noted.
The organizations further said that there has been no downstream impact assessment taken of Tipaimukh Dam apart from some “scant look at dam-break analysis and flood control.” This is complete lack of knowledge about the impact of dams on the downstream areas and more importantly, “a disrespect of the rights and debasement of the downstream communities,” the statement said. The organizations have decided to mobilize and work together with all communities in the downstream as well as upstream areas to resist any kind of “people and environmentally disastrous project.”
“We will oppose Tipaimukh dam with all our collectives and strength; we resolve that we will seek understanding of the government of India, dam building institutions and funders (sic) to resist building this dam; we resolve that our forest, environment and flora and fauna must be protected for the secured future; we resolve to extend solidarity to all anti-river dam project movements in North East India in particular and all over India and abroad in general,” the statement reaffirmed.
The civil organizations from Assam and Manipur who undertook the decision are the United Development Organization of Lakhipur, Educational Youth Club of Cachar, Singerband Development Association, Evergreen Sporting Club of Dolugram, Banishakti Club of Monierkhul, United Youth Club of Cachar, Manipuri Rural Club of Dolugram, Barak Valley Manipuri Women Federation, Progressive Students Alliance of Cachar, Barak Valley Meitei Convention of Cachar, All Dimasha Students Union of Cachar and the Society of Activists for Forest and Environment of Silchar.
