Consultation on Environment Protection at Saibol Village, Tengnoupal

29 April 2021

Consultation on Environment Protection at Saibol Village, Tengnoupal

A Consultation on Environment Protection and Sustainable Development was organized by the Centre for Research and Advocacy, Manipur (CRA) and the Rilram Area Maring Organization (RAMO) on 27th April 2021 at Saibol Village, Tengnoupal District. The consultation was organized in the context of increased environmental degradation and the increased targeting of land and natural resources for unsustainable development processes that worsened the social and environment impacts in Manipur.

Mr. Modar, Executive member of RAMO, presenting key note address, expressed concerns with the plan for extractive industries, specifically plan to mine Chromium and Limestone in Eastern areas of Manipur. He stressed the need to take the free, prior and informed consent of all indigenous peoples for policies or projects pursued in the pretext of development. The harmful effects of mining in other places should be careful studied. He also shared that RAMO, considering the multiple adverse impacts of mining, had already resolved against mining activities in RILRAM areas in Eastern Manipur.

Mr. Jiten Yumnam, Secretary, CRA deliberated on Sustainable Development and Challenges in Manipur and shared large dams, mining and other infrastructure projects will undermine sustainable development and cause hardship to coming generations.

The Taret Lok River should be protected from unsustainable development. Mr. Themson Jajo, Environmental Activist shared that the Mapithel dam and Khuga dam, displaced thousands of communities caused hardship and impoverishment of communities by submerging their forest and agriculture land. Such projects cannot be considered as Sustainable development.

The participants affirmed that the Land, Rivers and Forest are life for them and called for recognition of indigenous peoples’ rights over their land and natural resources. The participants affirm that any mining activity and energy projects like large dams should not be pursued in RILRAM areas without the recognition of rights and free, prior and informed consent of indigenous communities.

The participants resolved to protect the land and natural resources and advance sustainable development in Manipur.

Consultation on Environment Protection at Saibol Village, Tengnoupal

(Sanaton Laishram)
President
Centre For Research And Advocacy, Manipur
Jupiter Yambem Centre, Paona Bazar,
Imphal, Manipur, India 795001
www.cramanipur.wordpress.com