[Attachment(s) from Farida Majid included below]
Date: Wed, 15 Feb 2012 22:04:19 +0600
Subject: Fwd: Resolution and Media reflections of Tipaimukh Dam Review meet_11 Feb 2012
From: minamul@gmail.com
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Jinine Laishramcha <lcjinine@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, Feb 14, 2012 at 10:32 PM
Subject: Fwd: Resolution and Media reflections of Tipaimukh Dam Review meet_11 Feb 2012
To: akmalhussainir@yahoo.com, Faiezul Hakim <shahib2005@yahoo.com>, minamul@gmail.com
Dear friends
For your information.
Best
Jinine
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: jitn yumnam <jitnyumnam@yahoo.co.in>
Date: Mon, 13 Feb 2012 09:52:55 +0530 (IST)
Subject: Resolution and Media reflections of Tipaimukh Dam Review
meet_11 Feb 2012
To: bk oinam <nongpok10@gmail.com>, Buonga Traite <btraite@yahoo.com>,
kangjeiy <mangangmacha@gmail.com>, Rights Pamei
<pamei.rights@gmail.com>, Aram Pamei <arampamei@yahoo.co.in>, Core
Manipur <namdithiu@coremanipur.org>, "pameitingenlung@gmail.com"
<pameitingenlung@gmail.com>, Ramthing Kasar <kramthing@yahoo.co.in>,
jinine <lcjinine@yahoo.co.in>, lc jinine <lcjinine@gmail.com>,
"manipurcohr@gmail.com" <manipurcohr@gmail.com>, csd nobo
<khimbam@gmail.com>, chaoba <chaosarma@gmail.com>, "siphro@gmail.com"
<siphro@gmail.com>, Lalremlien Neitham <lalremlien@gmail.com>,
"btraite@gmail.com" <btraite@gmail.com>, "immanuelvarte@gmail.com"
<immanuelvarte@gmail.com>, Umakanta Meitei <umakantameitei@yahoo.com>,
Babloo Loitongbam <bloitongbam@gmail.com>, freeprss
<freeprss@yahoo.com>, Homen Thangjam <homen_th@yahoo.co.in>, joy csd
<kalanjoysingh@yahoo.co.in>, Joseph Hmar <tribalpower@rediffmail.com>,
rk ranjan <ranjanrk50@gmail.com>, Laifungbam Coremanipur
<laifungbam@coremanipur.org>
Dear friends,
Please find the resolution and media coverages of the one day meet on
Tipaimukh dam held recently at Manipur Press Club on 11 February 2012.
The media coverages is also outlined below.
best wishes,
Jiten Yumnam
Demand to revoke MoU to set up Tipaimukh
project
The Times of India, 12 February 2012
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/Demand-to-revoke-MoU-to-set-up-Tipaimukh-project/articleshow/11852877.cms
IMPHAL: Renewing their stand against the
construction of the Tipaimukh project, various anti-dam bodies of the region
called upon the government to revoke the Memoramdum of Understanding (MoU)
signed to set up the 1500 MW project over Barak river in Manipur's
Churachandpur district bordering Mizoram on Saturday.
The Mou was signed between the state government,
National Hydroelectric Project (NHPC) and the Satluj Vudyut Nigam
Limited on April 28, 2010 and reaffirmed on October 21 last year.
During his Imphal
visit on December 3, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said
environmental clearance for the project had been granted and forest clearance
was under process.
A seven-point resolution that included
revocation of the environmental clearance on the proposed project granted by
the Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF) on October 28, 2008 was adopted.
Organized by Committee on Land and Natural
Resources (COLNER), Citizens' Concern for Dams and Development
(CCDD), Action Committee Against Tipaimukh Dam (ACTIP), North East
Dialogue Forum (NEDF) and the Sinlung Indigenous Peoples Human
Rights Organizations (SIPHRO), the review meeting urged the government to take
the consent of all the affected people as recommended by the UN CERD committee
before beginning construction of the Tipaimukh dam and conduct impact
assessment in all the portion of the Barak river in Manipur, Mizoram, Assam and
Bangladesh.
'Tipaimukh dam will spell environmental disaster'
Source: Hueiyen News Service, Sunday,
Feb 12, 2012
http://e-pao.net/GP.asp?src=22..120212.feb12
Imphal, February 11, 2012: Around 25,822.22
hectares of forest land of Manipur would be affected by the construction of the
controversial Tipaimukh Dam and it would lead to felling down of 7.8 million
(around 90 lakh)) trees and bamboos.
The dam would also not only give serious impact on community livelihood and
survival but also exacerbate species and induce climate change impacts due to
destruction of absorption capacity of Green House Gases (GHGs), asserted NGOs.
These apprehensions were echoed during a day-long Review Meet on Tipaimukh Dam,
especially designed to review the key developments concerning the controversial
Dam, held at Manipur Press Club here today.
The Review Meet was organised jointly by Citizens Concern for Dams and
Development (CCDD), Committee on Land and Natural Resources (COLNER), Action
Committee Against Tipaimukh Dam Project (ACTIP), Sinlung Indigenous People
Human Rights Organisation (SIPHRO) and North East Dialogue Forum (NEDF).
The meet reviewed the key developments concerning the Tipaimukh Dam especially
the recent formation of Advisory Sub Committee of the Ministry of Environment
and Forest, Government of India (GoI); the impact of the project on forest; the
recommendations of UN CERD concerning Tipaimukh Dam which urged the GoI to
respect the Indigenous People's Rights before any mega development project in
IP land and the reaffirmation of MoU signed between the government of Manipur,
the National Hydro Power Corporation (NHPC) and the Sutlej Jal Vidyut Nigam
Limited (SJVNL).
After a thorough deliberation, the review meet adopted a number of resolutions
including urgent revocation of the MoU signed between state government, NHPC
and SJVNL on April 28, 2010 and reaffirmed on October 22, 2011; revocation of
the Environment Clearance granted by the Ministry of Environment and Forest,
GoI on October 24, 2008; conduct Holistic Impact Assessment on the socio-
economic, environmental, cultural, health and human rights of the people in all
portion of the river in Manipur, Mizoram, Assam and in Bangladesh with due
participation from all affected areas; to press for taking free, prior and
informed consent of all affected peoples as recommended by the UN CERD
Committee specific on Tipaimukh Dam; to make a detailed assessment of the
impact by the Sub-Committee, to meet and listen to the affected people and
local experts and to make necessary recommendations that respect the wishes and
aspiration of the people towards promoting their livelihood, survival rights
and future; to fully adhere with the recommendations of the World Commission of
Dams and the UN Declaration on the Rights of the Indigenous Peoples before
pursuing Tipaimukh Dam and no militarisation in the pretext of development and
repeal of AFSPA, 1958. Earlier participating in the review meet as
resource person,
Dr RK Ranjan, Chairperson, CCDD said that the Tipaimukh Dam, as stated in the
project proposal, would generate 1500 mega watt of electricity and 12% of the
production will be given to the state of Manipur.
But in reality, the project would produce only 400 mega watt of electricity and
Manipur would receive only 48 mega watt of power. To get this little amount of
electricity, Manipur have to sacrifice around 25, 822.22 hectares of forest
land where 7.8 million tress and bamboos will be destroyed and such actions
will not only seriously impact community livelihood, survival and exacerbate
species loss but also induce climate change impacts.
NGOs demand holistic impact assessment
The Assam Tribune, Guwahati, Sunday, February 12, 2012
Newmai
News
http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/detailsnew.asp?id=feb1212/oth05
IMPHAL, Feb 11 – NGOs in Manipur have claimedthat 25,822 hectares
of forest land in the State will be affected by the controversial Tipaimukh Dam
which will also lead to felling of 7.8 million treesand bamboos, and
such action will not only have serious impact on community livelihood and
survival but also excerbate species and induce climate change
impactsdue to destruction of absorption capacity of Green House Gases (GHG).
A
one-day Review Meet on Tipaimukh Dam was held at the Manipur Press Club here
today, jointly organised by Committeeon Land and Natural
Resources,
Citizens' Concern for Dams and Development, Action Committee Against Tipaimukh
Dam, North East Dialogue Forum and the Sinlung Indigenous Peoples Human
RightsOrganisation.
At
the discussion, the civil bodies affirmed, "Our rivers, forests,
wetlandsand lands are the
sources of our life andnot for plunder, invasion, and that we
will strive to defend and protect the integrity of our land for survival of the
coming generations."
Calling
upon the Government of Indiaand the Government
of Manipur in a draft resolution, they say they are concerned about the
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) involving the Government of Manipur, National
Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) and Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam limited
(SJVNL) on April 28, 2010 which was reaffirmed on October 22, 2011 without the
prior consent of the indigenous people of the State as well as all the people,
who are likely to be affected by the proposed dam, in Mizoram, Assam and
further down in Bangladesh, it demands urgent revocation of the above MoU.
The
resolution said the NHPC and SJVNL, companieswhich are likely to
be involved in the project have extremely poor environmental and social
accountability and human rights records from their previous projects such as
Teesta V (Sikkim) and Loktak Project (Manipur). The NGOs also demanded for the
revocation of the Environment Clearancegranted by the
Ministry of Environment and Forest, Government of India on October 24, 2008. The
resolution further urges both the Central and State Governments to conduct
Holistic Impact Assessment on socio-economic, environmental, cultural,
health and human
rights impacts likely to be caused by the proposed dam.
Meet on Dam seeks people's mandate
Source: The Sangai Express, Feb 12, 2012
http://e-pao.net/GP.asp?src=10..120212.feb12
Imphal, February 11, 2012: A review held today
at Manipur Press Club on the proposed Tipaimukh Dam has resolved that people's
informed consent should be obtained first after conducting a holistic impact
assessment on the merits and demerits of the dam.
The review meeting was jointly organised by the Citizens' Concern for Dams and
Development (CCDD), North East Dialogue Forum, Committee on Land and Natural
Resources (COLNER), Action Committee Against Tipaimukh Dam Project (ACTIP) and
Sinlung Indigenous Peoples Human Rights Organisation. The meeting further
decided to demand annulment of the MoU signed between the Government of India
and the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation.
To rescind the environmental clearance given by the Ministry of Environment and
Forest in 2008 was another resolution of the meeting. It also resolved that a
holistic impact assessment should be conducted about the possible impacts of
Tipaimukh Dam on the economy, culture, ecology, health and right to life of the
indigenous people.
The Government should be adhere to the recommendations of UNCERD and prior
informed consent of the people likely to be affected by the dam should be
obtained first. The Forest Advisory Sub-Committee of the Ministry of Forest and
Environment should understand the Government could never compensate for 7.8
million matured trees and 25,822 hectares of bamboo groves which would be
destroyed when Tipaimukh Dam is constructed.
The Forest Advisory Sub-Committee should listed to the local experts and the
people who would be affected by the dam, asserted many of the speakers. Before
taking up the issue of Tipaimukh Dam, the Government of India should first
comply with the recommendations of the World Commission on Dams and the UN
Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People. Maintaining that modernisation
programmes including construction of Tipaimukh Dam should not be done through
militarisation, the meeting further resolved that AFSPA should be repealed at
once.
Observing that mega dams are not the only source of energy, the speakers urged
the authorities to exploit other sources of energy. Another resolution of the
meeting was that people, after learning all the adverse impacts of Tipaimukh
Dam, should stand united and prevent construction of the dam. Speaking at the
review meeting, CCDD chairperson RK Ranjan noted that the project authority has
not yet produced even the basic project document about the proposed Tipaimukh
Dam.As per the report given by the project authority in 1984, it was said that
161 villages would be inundated due to construction of Tipaimukh Dam.
But the number of villages has been reduced to 61 over time. By the latest
report, only 16 villages would be submerged by the dam. In this way,
the authorities
have been concealing the facts. Though the expected installed capacity of
Tipaimukh Dam is 1500 MW, in practice it can generate only 500 MW of power. Out
of this, Manipur would get 10 to 12 per cent which comes to around 40 MW.
Ranjan asked if the people of Manipur should sacrifice invaluable forest areas,
trees and a number of fish and animal species for the mere 40 MW of power. The
dam would produce adverse impacts on the Bumming Bird Sanctuary as well as the
Keilam Wildlife Sanctuary. Large areas of Tamenglong district where oranges are
cultivated would be submerged once the dam is constructed.
Many other areas of the State which are intrinsically related with the history
of Manipur would also be inundated for good. Moreover, 20 Kms of Imphal-Jiribam
highway would also be submerged by the dam. In short, the benefits expected
from the dam is too little compared to losses it would entail, RK Ranjan said.
It is the companies manufacturing steel, cement etc and the agencies which
would execute the project that would be benefited from the proposed dam. For
the general public, they have little to gain from the dam. Cautioning that the
Government would deploy its military to build Tipaimukh Dam forcibly, U
Nobokishore of the North East Dialogue Forum pointed that many parents of
Loktak area are unable to educate or feed their children as a result of the
Loktak Multip-urpose Project. A large number of people would be made beggars
once the Tipaimukh Dam is constructed.
The review meeting was also participated by Oinam Jiten of the All Loktak Lake
Fishermen's Union, Ramthing Kasar representing people affected by Mapithel Dam,
Nganbi of the JAC Against Eviction of Lamphel Yaipha Leikai, LH Kaulum Anal of
the People's Development Organisation, Aram Pamei of CCDD and John Pamei of
Zeliangrong Students' Union.
Tipaimukh dam project will be calamitous to
environment, affirm civil bodies
The Imphal Free Press, 12 February 2012
http://ifp.co.in/imphal-free-press-full-story.php?newsid=4466&catid=1
IMPHAL, Feb 11 (Newmai News Network):
Various NGOs say 25,822.22 hectares of forest land of Manipur will be affected
by the controversial Tipaimukh Dam which will also lead to felling of 7.8
million (around 90 lakh)) trees and bamboos, and such action will not only have
serious impact on community livelihood and survival but also exacerbate species
and induce climate change impacts due to destruction of absorption capacity of
Green House Gases (GHG).A one-day Review Meet on Tipaimukh Dam was held at the
Manipur Press Club here Saturday, jointly organized by Committee on Land and
Natural Resources, Citizens' Concern for Dams and Development, Action Committee
Against Tipaimukh Dam, North East Dialogue Forum and the Sinlung Indigenous
Peoples Human Rights Organizations.At the discussion, the civil bodies
affirmed, "Our rivers, forests, wetlands and lands are the sources of our life
and not for plunder, invasion, and that we will strive to defend and protect
the integrity of our land for survival of the coming generations."Calling upon
the Government of India and the Government of Manipur in a draft resolution,
they say they are concerned about the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)
involving the Government of Manipur, National Hydroelectric Power Corporation
(NHPC) and Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam limited (SJVNL) on April 28, 2010 which was
reaffirmed on October 22, 2011 without the prior consent of the indigenous
people of the State as well as all the people, who are likely to be affected by
the proposed dam, in Mizoram, Assam and further down in Bangladesh, it demands
urgent revocation of the above MoU.
The resolution says the NHPC and SJVNL,
companies which are likely to be involved in the project have extremely poor
environmental, social, accountability and human rights records from their
previous projects such as Teesta V (Sikkim) and Loktak Project (Manipur).The
NGOs also demanded for the revocation of the Environment Clearance granted by
the Ministry of Environment and Forest, Government of India on October 24,
2008.The resolution further urges both the Central and State governments to
conduct Holistic Impact Assessment on socio-economic, environmental, cultural,
health and human rights impacts likely to be caused by the proposed dam.
Tipaimukh dam to affect 25,822 hectares of land
The Manipur Mail, 12 February 2012
http://www.manipur.org/news/2012/02/11/tipaimukh-dam-to-affect-25822-hectares-of-land/
Imphal, Feb 11 NNN : Various NGOs say 25,822.22 hectares of forest land of
Manipur will be affected by the controversial Tipaimukh Dam which will also
lead to felling of 7.8 million (around 90 lakh)) trees and bamboos, and such
action will not only have serious impact on community livelihood and survival
but also exacerbate species and induce climate change impacts due to
destruction of absorption capacity of Green House Gases (GHG).
A one-day Review Meet on Tipaimukh Dam was held at the Manipur Press Club here
Saturday, jointly organized by Committee on Land and Natural Resources,
Citizens' Concern for Dams and Development, Action Committee Against Tipaimukh
Dam, North East Dialogue Forum and the Sinlung Indigenous Peoples Human Rights
Organizations.
At the discussion, the civil bodies affirmed, "Our rivers, forests, wetlands
and lands are the sources of our life and not for plunder, invasion, and that
we will strive to defend and protect the integrity of our land for survival of
the coming generations." Calling upon the Government of India and the
Government of Manipur in a draft resolution, they say they are concerned about
the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) involving the Government of Manipur,
National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) and Satluj Jal Vidyut
Nigam limited
(SJVNL) on April 28, 2010 which was reaffirmed on October 22, 2011 without the
prior consent of the indigenous people of the State as well as all the people,
who are likely to be affected by the proposed dam, in Mizoram, Assam and
further down in Bangladesh, it demands urgent revocation of the above MoU.
The resolution says the NHPC and SJVNL, companies which are likely to be
involved in the project have extremely poor environmental, social,
accountability and human rights records from their previous projects such as
Teesta V (Sikkim) and Loktak Project (Manipur).
The NGOs also demanded for the revocation of the Environment Clearance granted
by the Ministry of Environment and Forest, Government of India on October 24,
2008.The resolution further urges both the Central and State governments to
conduct Holistic Impact Assessment on socio-economic, environmental, cultural,
health and human rights impacts likely to be caused by the proposed dam
From: Jinine Laishramcha <lcjinine@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, Feb 14, 2012 at 10:32 PM
Subject: Fwd: Resolution and Media reflections of Tipaimukh Dam Review meet_11 Feb 2012
To: akmalhussainir@yahoo.com, Faiezul Hakim <shahib2005@yahoo.com>, minamul@gmail.com
Dear friends
For your information.
Best
Jinine
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: jitn yumnam <jitnyumnam@yahoo.co.in>
Date: Mon, 13 Feb 2012 09:52:55 +0530 (IST)
Subject: Resolution and Media reflections of Tipaimukh Dam Review
meet_11 Feb 2012
To: bk oinam <nongpok10@gmail.com>, Buonga Traite <btraite@yahoo.com>,
kangjeiy <mangangmacha@gmail.com>, Rights Pamei
<pamei.rights@gmail.com>, Aram Pamei <arampamei@yahoo.co.in>, Core
Manipur <namdithiu@coremanipur.org>, "pameitingenlung@gmail.com"
<pameitingenlung@gmail.com>, Ramthing Kasar <kramthing@yahoo.co.in>,
jinine <lcjinine@yahoo.co.in>, lc jinine <lcjinine@gmail.com>,
"manipurcohr@gmail.com" <manipurcohr@gmail.com>, csd nobo
<khimbam@gmail.com>, chaoba <chaosarma@gmail.com>, "siphro@gmail.com"
<siphro@gmail.com>, Lalremlien Neitham <lalremlien@gmail.com>,
"btraite@gmail.com" <btraite@gmail.com>, "immanuelvarte@gmail.com"
<immanuelvarte@gmail.com>, Umakanta Meitei <umakantameitei@yahoo.com>,
Babloo Loitongbam <bloitongbam@gmail.com>, freeprss
<freeprss@yahoo.com>, Homen Thangjam <homen_th@yahoo.co.in>, joy csd
<kalanjoysingh@yahoo.co.in>, Joseph Hmar <tribalpower@rediffmail.com>,
rk ranjan <ranjanrk50@gmail.com>, Laifungbam Coremanipur
<laifungbam@coremanipur.org>
Dear friends,
Please find the resolution and media coverages of the one day meet on
Tipaimukh dam held recently at Manipur Press Club on 11 February 2012.
The media coverages is also outlined below.
best wishes,
Jiten Yumnam
Demand to revoke MoU to set up Tipaimukh
project
The Times of India, 12 February 2012
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/Demand-to-revoke-MoU-to-set-up-Tipaimukh-project/articleshow/11852877.cms
IMPHAL: Renewing their stand against the
construction of the Tipaimukh project, various anti-dam bodies of the region
called upon the government to revoke the Memoramdum of Understanding (MoU)
signed to set up the 1500 MW project over Barak river in Manipur's
Churachandpur district bordering Mizoram on Saturday.
The Mou was signed between the state government,
National Hydroelectric Project (NHPC) and the Satluj Vudyut Nigam
Limited on April 28, 2010 and reaffirmed on October 21 last year.
During his Imphal
visit on December 3, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said
environmental clearance for the project had been granted and forest clearance
was under process.
A seven-point resolution that included
revocation of the environmental clearance on the proposed project granted by
the Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF) on October 28, 2008 was adopted.
Organized by Committee on Land and Natural
Resources (COLNER), Citizens' Concern for Dams and Development
(CCDD), Action Committee Against Tipaimukh Dam (ACTIP), North East
Dialogue Forum (NEDF) and the Sinlung Indigenous Peoples Human
Rights Organizations (SIPHRO), the review meeting urged the government to take
the consent of all the affected people as recommended by the UN CERD committee
before beginning construction of the Tipaimukh dam and conduct impact
assessment in all the portion of the Barak river in Manipur, Mizoram, Assam and
Bangladesh.
'Tipaimukh dam will spell environmental disaster'
Source: Hueiyen News Service, Sunday,
Feb 12, 2012
http://e-pao.net/GP.asp?src=22..120212.feb12
Imphal, February 11, 2012: Around 25,822.22
hectares of forest land of Manipur would be affected by the construction of the
controversial Tipaimukh Dam and it would lead to felling down of 7.8 million
(around 90 lakh)) trees and bamboos.
The dam would also not only give serious impact on community livelihood and
survival but also exacerbate species and induce climate change impacts due to
destruction of absorption capacity of Green House Gases (GHGs), asserted NGOs.
These apprehensions were echoed during a day-long Review Meet on Tipaimukh Dam,
especially designed to review the key developments concerning the controversial
Dam, held at Manipur Press Club here today.
The Review Meet was organised jointly by Citizens Concern for Dams and
Development (CCDD), Committee on Land and Natural Resources (COLNER), Action
Committee Against Tipaimukh Dam Project (ACTIP), Sinlung Indigenous People
Human Rights Organisation (SIPHRO) and North East Dialogue Forum (NEDF).
The meet reviewed the key developments concerning the Tipaimukh Dam especially
the recent formation of Advisory Sub Committee of the Ministry of Environment
and Forest, Government of India (GoI); the impact of the project on forest; the
recommendations of UN CERD concerning Tipaimukh Dam which urged the GoI to
respect the Indigenous People's Rights before any mega development project in
IP land and the reaffirmation of MoU signed between the government of Manipur,
the National Hydro Power Corporation (NHPC) and the Sutlej Jal Vidyut Nigam
Limited (SJVNL).
After a thorough deliberation, the review meet adopted a number of resolutions
including urgent revocation of the MoU signed between state government, NHPC
and SJVNL on April 28, 2010 and reaffirmed on October 22, 2011; revocation of
the Environment Clearance granted by the Ministry of Environment and Forest,
GoI on October 24, 2008; conduct Holistic Impact Assessment on the socio-
economic, environmental, cultural, health and human rights of the people in all
portion of the river in Manipur, Mizoram, Assam and in Bangladesh with due
participation from all affected areas; to press for taking free, prior and
informed consent of all affected peoples as recommended by the UN CERD
Committee specific on Tipaimukh Dam; to make a detailed assessment of the
impact by the Sub-Committee, to meet and listen to the affected people and
local experts and to make necessary recommendations that respect the wishes and
aspiration of the people towards promoting their livelihood, survival rights
and future; to fully adhere with the recommendations of the World Commission of
Dams and the UN Declaration on the Rights of the Indigenous Peoples before
pursuing Tipaimukh Dam and no militarisation in the pretext of development and
repeal of AFSPA, 1958. Earlier participating in the review meet as
resource person,
Dr RK Ranjan, Chairperson, CCDD said that the Tipaimukh Dam, as stated in the
project proposal, would generate 1500 mega watt of electricity and 12% of the
production will be given to the state of Manipur.
But in reality, the project would produce only 400 mega watt of electricity and
Manipur would receive only 48 mega watt of power. To get this little amount of
electricity, Manipur have to sacrifice around 25, 822.22 hectares of forest
land where 7.8 million tress and bamboos will be destroyed and such actions
will not only seriously impact community livelihood, survival and exacerbate
species loss but also induce climate change impacts.
NGOs demand holistic impact assessment
The Assam Tribune, Guwahati, Sunday, February 12, 2012
Newmai
News
http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/detailsnew.asp?id=feb1212/oth05
IMPHAL, Feb 11 – NGOs in Manipur have claimedthat 25,822 hectares
of forest land in the State will be affected by the controversial Tipaimukh Dam
which will also lead to felling of 7.8 million treesand bamboos, and
such action will not only have serious impact on community livelihood and
survival but also excerbate species and induce climate change
impactsdue to destruction of absorption capacity of Green House Gases (GHG).
A
one-day Review Meet on Tipaimukh Dam was held at the Manipur Press Club here
today, jointly organised by Committeeon Land and Natural
Resources,
Citizens' Concern for Dams and Development, Action Committee Against Tipaimukh
Dam, North East Dialogue Forum and the Sinlung Indigenous Peoples Human
RightsOrganisation.
At
the discussion, the civil bodies affirmed, "Our rivers, forests,
wetlandsand lands are the
sources of our life andnot for plunder, invasion, and that we
will strive to defend and protect the integrity of our land for survival of the
coming generations."
Calling
upon the Government of Indiaand the Government
of Manipur in a draft resolution, they say they are concerned about the
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) involving the Government of Manipur, National
Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) and Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam limited
(SJVNL) on April 28, 2010 which was reaffirmed on October 22, 2011 without the
prior consent of the indigenous people of the State as well as all the people,
who are likely to be affected by the proposed dam, in Mizoram, Assam and
further down in Bangladesh, it demands urgent revocation of the above MoU.
The
resolution said the NHPC and SJVNL, companieswhich are likely to
be involved in the project have extremely poor environmental and social
accountability and human rights records from their previous projects such as
Teesta V (Sikkim) and Loktak Project (Manipur). The NGOs also demanded for the
revocation of the Environment Clearancegranted by the
Ministry of Environment and Forest, Government of India on October 24, 2008. The
resolution further urges both the Central and State Governments to conduct
Holistic Impact Assessment on socio-economic, environmental, cultural,
health and human
rights impacts likely to be caused by the proposed dam.
Meet on Dam seeks people's mandate
Source: The Sangai Express, Feb 12, 2012
http://e-pao.net/GP.asp?src=10..120212.feb12
Imphal, February 11, 2012: A review held today
at Manipur Press Club on the proposed Tipaimukh Dam has resolved that people's
informed consent should be obtained first after conducting a holistic impact
assessment on the merits and demerits of the dam.
The review meeting was jointly organised by the Citizens' Concern for Dams and
Development (CCDD), North East Dialogue Forum, Committee on Land and Natural
Resources (COLNER), Action Committee Against Tipaimukh Dam Project (ACTIP) and
Sinlung Indigenous Peoples Human Rights Organisation. The meeting further
decided to demand annulment of the MoU signed between the Government of India
and the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation.
To rescind the environmental clearance given by the Ministry of Environment and
Forest in 2008 was another resolution of the meeting. It also resolved that a
holistic impact assessment should be conducted about the possible impacts of
Tipaimukh Dam on the economy, culture, ecology, health and right to life of the
indigenous people.
The Government should be adhere to the recommendations of UNCERD and prior
informed consent of the people likely to be affected by the dam should be
obtained first. The Forest Advisory Sub-Committee of the Ministry of Forest and
Environment should understand the Government could never compensate for 7.8
million matured trees and 25,822 hectares of bamboo groves which would be
destroyed when Tipaimukh Dam is constructed.
The Forest Advisory Sub-Committee should listed to the local experts and the
people who would be affected by the dam, asserted many of the speakers. Before
taking up the issue of Tipaimukh Dam, the Government of India should first
comply with the recommendations of the World Commission on Dams and the UN
Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People. Maintaining that modernisation
programmes including construction of Tipaimukh Dam should not be done through
militarisation, the meeting further resolved that AFSPA should be repealed at
once.
Observing that mega dams are not the only source of energy, the speakers urged
the authorities to exploit other sources of energy. Another resolution of the
meeting was that people, after learning all the adverse impacts of Tipaimukh
Dam, should stand united and prevent construction of the dam. Speaking at the
review meeting, CCDD chairperson RK Ranjan noted that the project authority has
not yet produced even the basic project document about the proposed Tipaimukh
Dam.As per the report given by the project authority in 1984, it was said that
161 villages would be inundated due to construction of Tipaimukh Dam.
But the number of villages has been reduced to 61 over time. By the latest
report, only 16 villages would be submerged by the dam. In this way,
the authorities
have been concealing the facts. Though the expected installed capacity of
Tipaimukh Dam is 1500 MW, in practice it can generate only 500 MW of power. Out
of this, Manipur would get 10 to 12 per cent which comes to around 40 MW.
Ranjan asked if the people of Manipur should sacrifice invaluable forest areas,
trees and a number of fish and animal species for the mere 40 MW of power. The
dam would produce adverse impacts on the Bumming Bird Sanctuary as well as the
Keilam Wildlife Sanctuary. Large areas of Tamenglong district where oranges are
cultivated would be submerged once the dam is constructed.
Many other areas of the State which are intrinsically related with the history
of Manipur would also be inundated for good. Moreover, 20 Kms of Imphal-Jiribam
highway would also be submerged by the dam. In short, the benefits expected
from the dam is too little compared to losses it would entail, RK Ranjan said.
It is the companies manufacturing steel, cement etc and the agencies which
would execute the project that would be benefited from the proposed dam. For
the general public, they have little to gain from the dam. Cautioning that the
Government would deploy its military to build Tipaimukh Dam forcibly, U
Nobokishore of the North East Dialogue Forum pointed that many parents of
Loktak area are unable to educate or feed their children as a result of the
Loktak Multip-urpose Project. A large number of people would be made beggars
once the Tipaimukh Dam is constructed.
The review meeting was also participated by Oinam Jiten of the All Loktak Lake
Fishermen's Union, Ramthing Kasar representing people affected by Mapithel Dam,
Nganbi of the JAC Against Eviction of Lamphel Yaipha Leikai, LH Kaulum Anal of
the People's Development Organisation, Aram Pamei of CCDD and John Pamei of
Zeliangrong Students' Union.
Tipaimukh dam project will be calamitous to
environment, affirm civil bodies
The Imphal Free Press, 12 February 2012
http://ifp.co.in/imphal-free-press-full-story.php?newsid=4466&catid=1
IMPHAL, Feb 11 (Newmai News Network):
Various NGOs say 25,822.22 hectares of forest land of Manipur will be affected
by the controversial Tipaimukh Dam which will also lead to felling of 7.8
million (around 90 lakh)) trees and bamboos, and such action will not only have
serious impact on community livelihood and survival but also exacerbate species
and induce climate change impacts due to destruction of absorption capacity of
Green House Gases (GHG).A one-day Review Meet on Tipaimukh Dam was held at the
Manipur Press Club here Saturday, jointly organized by Committee on Land and
Natural Resources, Citizens' Concern for Dams and Development, Action Committee
Against Tipaimukh Dam, North East Dialogue Forum and the Sinlung Indigenous
Peoples Human Rights Organizations.At the discussion, the civil bodies
affirmed, "Our rivers, forests, wetlands and lands are the sources of our life
and not for plunder, invasion, and that we will strive to defend and protect
the integrity of our land for survival of the coming generations."Calling upon
the Government of India and the Government of Manipur in a draft resolution,
they say they are concerned about the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)
involving the Government of Manipur, National Hydroelectric Power Corporation
(NHPC) and Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam limited (SJVNL) on April 28, 2010 which was
reaffirmed on October 22, 2011 without the prior consent of the indigenous
people of the State as well as all the people, who are likely to be affected by
the proposed dam, in Mizoram, Assam and further down in Bangladesh, it demands
urgent revocation of the above MoU.
The resolution says the NHPC and SJVNL,
companies which are likely to be involved in the project have extremely poor
environmental, social, accountability and human rights records from their
previous projects such as Teesta V (Sikkim) and Loktak Project (Manipur).The
NGOs also demanded for the revocation of the Environment Clearance granted by
the Ministry of Environment and Forest, Government of India on October 24,
2008.The resolution further urges both the Central and State governments to
conduct Holistic Impact Assessment on socio-economic, environmental, cultural,
health and human rights impacts likely to be caused by the proposed dam.
Tipaimukh dam to affect 25,822 hectares of land
The Manipur Mail, 12 February 2012
http://www.manipur.org/news/2012/02/11/tipaimukh-dam-to-affect-25822-hectares-of-land/
Imphal, Feb 11 NNN : Various NGOs say 25,822.22 hectares of forest land of
Manipur will be affected by the controversial Tipaimukh Dam which will also
lead to felling of 7.8 million (around 90 lakh)) trees and bamboos, and such
action will not only have serious impact on community livelihood and survival
but also exacerbate species and induce climate change impacts due to
destruction of absorption capacity of Green House Gases (GHG).
A one-day Review Meet on Tipaimukh Dam was held at the Manipur Press Club here
Saturday, jointly organized by Committee on Land and Natural Resources,
Citizens' Concern for Dams and Development, Action Committee Against Tipaimukh
Dam, North East Dialogue Forum and the Sinlung Indigenous Peoples Human Rights
Organizations.
At the discussion, the civil bodies affirmed, "Our rivers, forests, wetlands
and lands are the sources of our life and not for plunder, invasion, and that
we will strive to defend and protect the integrity of our land for survival of
the coming generations." Calling upon the Government of India and the
Government of Manipur in a draft resolution, they say they are concerned about
the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) involving the Government of Manipur,
National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) and Satluj Jal Vidyut
Nigam limited
(SJVNL) on April 28, 2010 which was reaffirmed on October 22, 2011 without the
prior consent of the indigenous people of the State as well as all the people,
who are likely to be affected by the proposed dam, in Mizoram, Assam and
further down in Bangladesh, it demands urgent revocation of the above MoU.
The resolution says the NHPC and SJVNL, companies which are likely to be
involved in the project have extremely poor environmental, social,
accountability and human rights records from their previous projects such as
Teesta V (Sikkim) and Loktak Project (Manipur).
The NGOs also demanded for the revocation of the Environment Clearance granted
by the Ministry of Environment and Forest, Government of India on October 24,
2008.The resolution further urges both the Central and State governments to
conduct Holistic Impact Assessment on socio-economic, environmental, cultural,
health and human rights impacts likely to be caused by the proposed dam
Attachment(s) from Farida Majid
2 of 2 File(s)
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