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Call for unhindered flow of Leimatak River gains momentum

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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, said Jiten Yumnam. 


TFM Desk


Centre for Research and Advocacy, Manipur (CRA) on Sunday organised a consultation on Sustainable Development at the Gangluan (Nungleiband) part IV village. 
The consultation was organised to promote the protection of land, river, forest and natural resources in Manipur. Social activist Gunrei Kamei, Secretary of Centre for Research and Advocacy, Manipur  Jiten Yumnam and  JNU Faculty member Dr G. Amarjit shared their views at the programme, said a press statement issued by CRA president Sanaton Laishram. 
In his key note address, Gunrei Kamei stated that sustainable development is crucial for indigenous peoples depending on the land, forest, rivers and other resources for livelihood. 
Gunrei expressed concern that the Rivers in Noney and Tamenglong areas have 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, he added. 
Jiten Yumnam of CRA stated that the Leimatak River is one of the most important rivers of Manipur. The rivers of been targeted for large dam construction, he added. 
Yumnam also said 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, he added. 
He also said that 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. 
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, she said. 
The sudden release of water from Loktak power station caused drowning of several villagers, including children from villages like Thangal, Toushang etc, she added. 
JNU Faculty Member Dr. G. Amarjit stated that dam building caused much conflict within communities. Dam building is marred with lack of transparency, accountability and lack of detailed impact assessment. 
He further said 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, he added. 
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. 

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