Imphal, November 14 (MExN): The JAC against 190 MW Pabram Dam (JAC on Pabram Dam) and the Centre for Research and Advocacy, Manipur (CRAM) organized community meetings and awareness on protection of land, natural resources in Langpram, Khunphung and Dikiuram villages in Tamei sub-division of Tamenglong district, Manipur from November 9 till 12. An environment awareness meet was organised at Langpram village on November 9 and 10. Enoch Newmai of JAC on Pabram Dam and Sanaton Laishram of CRAM and representatives of the Langpram Village Authority shared perspectives of protecting the environment, land and natural resources, informed a press release from CRAM. Enoch Newmai shared on the possible impacts of the proposed 190 MW Pabram Hydroelectric Project on the agriculture land, forest, river of Langpram Village and the subsequent livelihood impacts due to submergence. He also expressed concern with the increased threats to the habitat of Chareng/Uchek Langmeidong (hornbill) in Langpram village due to increased deforestation, logging activities and highlighted the social and cultural implications of loss of hornbill from the region. Sanaton Laishram of CRAM shared on the importance of supporting villagers in promoting the traditional agriculture, as an alternative means of promoting self-sufficiency and economy of the villagers instead of destroying their land with large dams, which hardly functions like Singda dam, Khuga dam, the release added. Further, community meetings were also conducted at Khunphung and Dikiuram villages on November 11 and 12 that concluded with a social and environmental impact assessment of Pabram dam. Enoch Newmai again shared on the larger implications of the proposed 190 MW Pabram Dam on the agriculture land of Khunphung village, which, the release said, is the rice bowl of Tamei Area, and on the forest area. Jiten Yumnam from CRAM shared on how previously constructed mega dams, such as Khoupum and Khuga dams have failed to serve their purposes, despite their destruction of people’s agriculture land, forest and wide human rights violations. Documentaries on impacts of Mapithel dam and other dams in Manipur were screened during the community meet. The participants resolved to stand against large hydroelectric projects, such as the proposed 190 MW Pabram Hydroelectric Project that will submerge and destroy people’s livelihood sources, CRAM stated. The participants instead stressed on the need for the promotion of indigenous traditional agriculture towards maximizing the use of land and resources in a sustainable manner. They also urged upon the Government and all concerned to respect the rights of all indigenous peoples over their land and resources and to respect their self-determined development in their land and territories, in accordance with the provisions of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, the press release said.
