IMPHAL, July 9 MNS : A one day public consultation on Tipaimukh dam and forest clearance jointly organized by citizens’ concern for dams and development, committee on land and natural resources, committee on the protection of natural resources in Manipur and North east dialogue forum was held today at Manipur Press Club, Major Khul.
The Committee on Land and Natural Resources, Citizens Concern for Dams and Development, Committee on the Protection of Natural Resources in Manipur, North East Dialogue Forum an Action Committee Against Tipaimukh Dam co-organized a public consultation on “Tipaimukh Dam and Forest Clearance” at the Manipur Press Club on 9 July 2013 . The consultation is being organized to review the aggressive push by both the Government of Manipur and Government of India to accord “Forest Clearance” for the proposed 1500 MW Tipaimukh Multipurpose Hydroelectric Project.
Dr. Immanuel Varte, Deputy Director of Centre for Research Organization and Education, Dr. RK Ranjan, Chairperson, Citizens Concern for Dams and Development, Mr. Stephen, ex-chairperson of Zeliangrong Students Union Manipur, Joseph Hmar, Secy, Citizens Concern for Dams and Development and U. Nobokishore, Secy, North East Dialogue Forum deliberated the meet as resource persons.
The participants affirmed that the forest, land, rivers and other natural resources of Manipur are crucial for the sustenance of endemic flora and fauna and the survival of several indigenous communities.
It expressed concern that the Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) of the Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF) is meeting on 11-12 July 2013 to consider the proposed 1500 MW Tipaimukh Multipurpose Hydroelectric Project for “Forest Clearance”
The FAC of MoEF is relying for reports of a one day aerial survey of officials of Government of India, and also the request from the Government of Manipur and the North Eastern Electric Power Corporation, all of which recommended for felling 7.8 million trees and 27,000 bamboo in Manipur without proper and comprehensive impact assessment due to proposed Tipaimukh dam construction.
Ministry of Environment and Forest of the Government of India conceded “Environment Clearance” in October 2008 for the proposed Tipaimukh Dam project despite peoples’ objections in all the five public hearings held from the year 2004 till 2008.
An MoU was signed with the Government of Manipur, the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) and Sutlej Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited (SJVNL) on 28th April 2010, reaffirmed on 22nd October 2011, without obtaining the Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) of all affected communities in Manipur, Mizoram and Assam.
Remind of the recommendations of the UN Committee on the Elimination of All forms of Racial Discrimination in 2011 on Tipaimukh Dam not to construct the dam without the free prior and informed consent of all affected indigenous peoples.
The participants further resolved thatthe Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) of the Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF), Government of India should desist from granting Environment Clearance for the proposed Tipaimukh Multipurpose Hydroelectric Project as this would amount to clear cut violation of the rights of indigenous peoples in Manipur.
The FAC of the MoEF should also take cognizance that all Indigenous Peoples of Manipur have full rights over their lands and resources, as also recognized by the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, 2007. The FAC of the MoEF should refrain from making recommendations for Compensatory Afforestation as Manipur is such a small State with huge pressure on land and forest already and the forest to be submerged by Tipaimukh HEP is so huge that it is irrational to compensate similar areas in other parts of Manipur with afforestation.
Manipur cannot afford to sacrifice its forest and to fell 7.8 million trees and 27,000 bamboo groves in Manipur for a mega project which will wrought widespread havoc on environment and sufferings on peoples’ lives and future.
The MoEF should recommend revoking the MoU signed on Tipaimukh Dam by the Government of Manipur with Government of Manipur, National Hydroelectric Project and Sutlej Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited on 28 April 2010, reaffirmed on 22 October 2011.
The Government of India should ensure that the proposed 1500 MW Tipaimukh HEP is not constructed without the Free, Prior and Informed Consent of indigenous peoples. The MoEF should revoke the Environment Clearance Granted for Tipaimukh Dam in October 2008 based on the
stern objections by the affected communities in all the five public hearings from 2004 till 2008.
The MoEF should recommend that the proposed Tipaimukh dam should adhere to the recommendations of the World Commission on Dams, the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous peoples, 2007 and the recommendations from the UN CERD Committee on Tipaimukh Dam in 2011
Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/consultation-on-tipaimukh-dam-against-misuses-of-environment/
