Consultation : Promotion of Sustainable Development at Noney

Imphal, 21st Nov 2021

Consultation : Promotion of Sustainable Development at Noney

A Consultation on Sustainable Development was organized at the Gangluan (Nungleiband) part IV village on 21 November organized by the Centre for Research and Advocacy, Manipur (CRA). The consultation, organized to promote the protection of land, river, forest and natural resources in Manipur is marked by resource sharing by Mr. Gunrei Kamei, Social Activist, Mr. Jiten Yumnam, Secretary of Centre for Research and Advocacy, Manipur and Dr. G. Amarjit, Faculty member, JNU.

Mr. Gunrei Kamei, Social Activist in his key note address shared that sustainable development is crucial for indigenous peoples depending on the land, forest, rivers and other resources for livelihood. Mr. Gunrei expressed concern that the Rivers in Noney and Tamenglong areas has been targeted with construction of large dams, oil exploration, railway works etc.

Indigenous peoples need to be fully conscious of these development process that will entail loss of destruction of forest, land and water, to ensure that all development decision and interventions ensure the survival and human rights for all coming generations.

Consultation : Promotion of Sustainable Development at Noney

Mr. Jiten Yumnam of CRA, shared that the Leimatak River is one of the most important Rivers of Manipur. The Rivers of been targeted for large dam construction. Mr. Yumnam shared that the flow regime of the Leimatak River is affected due to direct discharge of water from Loktak Power Station of the 105 MW Loktak multipurpose Hydroelectric project, which curtailed villagers dependence on the River for fishing, sand collection, besides claiming lives of scores of villagers along the River.

The proposed construction of 70 MW Nungleiband dam, the 66 MW Loktak Downstream Hydroelectric project will submerge people land, forest and other livelihood sources. It is crucial to rescind all plans to constructs large dams over Leimatak River and to call for decommissioning of the Ithai Barrage of Loktak project to avoid all social, environmental and climate change impacts in Manipur.

Consultation : Promotion of Sustainable Development at Noney

Ms. Haothaaoliu Panmei, member, Women Society, Gangluan Part IV, shared that the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation, operating the Loktak power station, discharged water from power station to the Leimatak River daily from around 7 PM. This affected the villager’s reliance on the River for fishing, for sand collection etc, to access the River etc. The sudden release of water from Loktak power station caused drowning of several villagers, including children from villages like Thangal, Toushang etc.

Dr. G. Amarjit, Faculty Member, JNU shared that dam building caused much conflict within communities. Dam building is marred with lack of transparency, accountability and lack of detailed impact assessment. Dam building is not sustainable, given the adverse impacts on people, environment and climate. Studies confirm that dam building benefits corporate bodies while impoverishing communities with submergence and destruction of their land and resources. It is high time to question whose development are large dams.

The Participants of the Consultation agreed on the importance of ensuring the free and unhindered flow of the Leimatak River and to call for a review of the proposed 70 MW Nungleiband Dam, the 66 MW Loktak Downstream Hydroelectric Project proposed over Leimatak River. The participants also called for the decommissioning of the Ithai Barrage of the 105 MW Loktak Multipurpose Hydroelectric Project. The participants also asserted that the land, forest, River represents life for indigenous peoples.

Consultation : Promotion of Sustainable Development at Noney

(Sanaton Laishram)
President
Centre For Research And Advocacy, Manipur
Jupiter Yambem Centre, Paona Bazar,
Imphal Manipur