Consultation : Protection of Land, Rivers and Forest in Leimatak

Imphal, 15 November 2021

Consultation : Protection of Land, Rivers and Forest in Leimatak

A consultation and awareness on the “Protection of Land, Rivers and Forest in Leimatak Area” was held at Luangjeng (Thangal) village, Manipur on the 14 November 2021. Mr. Gunrei Kamei, Environmentalist, Mr. Themson Jajo, Social Activist, Mr. Jiten Yumnam, Secretary, Centre for Research and Advocacy, Manipur and Mr. G. Amarjit, Faculty member, JNU provided resource sharings during the consultation.

Mr. Gunrei Kamei, environmentalist shared that land, forest, rivers and other resources are source of livelihood and culture of the indigenous peoples of Manipur. Land sustained their inter-generational survival. The pursuance of unsustainable projects such as dam building, mining, infrastructure projects etc has led to loss of land. He said many villagers along the Leimatak River are highly vulnerable of losing their agriculture land and forest due to proposed 66 MW Loktak downstream hydroelectric project.

Consultation : Protection of Land, Rivers and Forest in Leimatak

Mr. Jiten Yumnam of CRA, Manipur shared that multiple Rivers of Manipur, such as Irang River, Leimatak River, Barak Rivers etc are targeted for building of dams, viz, 66 MW Loktak downstream Hydroelectric Project, the 70 MW Nungleiband dam, 190 MW Pabram dam, 60 MW Irang Dam etc, which will lead to submergence of forest and agriculture land, besides disturbing the natural flow of these Rivers.

Large dams has been controversial in Manipur for their failure, for undermining food sovereignty, failure to rehabilitate affected communities, for causing climate change and human rights violations. Dams are proving unviable and environmentally unsustainable. The plan for 66 MW Loktak downstream project need a comprehensive impact assessments and review of their viability and rationality.

Mr. Themson Jajo, Social Activist shared how the Mapithel dam displaced thousands and destroyed the livelihood of communities in Mapithel valley by submerging their land, forest, river etc. Mr. Jajo stressed the need for review of the plan to construct the 66 MW Loktak downstream hydroelectric project and the 70 MW Nungleiband dam over the Leimatak River for their multifaceted impacts and feasibility.

Mr. Amarjit, Faculty member, JNU explained that development should serve the needs, priorities and interest of the people. Dam building economy tends to serve the interest of corporate bodies while impoverishing communities by destroying their land and resources. The State and project authorities of dams should share all information on planning and dam building including survey reports with the people.

Documentary films, “Wall of Injustice” and “Dams and Discontents” were also screened at the consultation. The youth participants of the consultation emphasized the importance of land, forest, river as source of inter-generational survival for communities. The participants also stressed the need for free flow of Leimatak River and to rethink unsustainable development processes.

The participants also stressed the need for transparency and accountability from project authorities of proposed 66 MW Loktak downstream hydroelectric project and to provide project documents, viz, detailed project report, rehabilitation and resettlement plan, social and environment impact assessments to affected communities.

Consultation : Protection of Land, Rivers and Forest in Leimatak

(Sanaton Laishram)
President
Centre For Research And Advocacy, Manipur (CRAM)
Paona Bazar, Imphal, Manipur
Website: www.cramanipur.org