Thursday, January 29, 2009

Aqua-bombs in North East India

Pix:Ritu Raj Konwar .The Subansiri river where the proposed 2000 MW Hydel Project by NHPC is under-construction.
GOGAMUKH,JAN 29:The central government's proposed decision to build as many as 180 mega dams in North Eastern region is dangerous move without assessingand properly studying about the long term impact which may proved major catastrophe in the future.The NEEPCO Hydel Project of Ranganadinear Lakhimpur has already proved peril to the people of that regiondestroying large number of lives and property as well as renderinghundreds homeless during the last year's monsoon season. The Lower Subansiri Hydel Project,which is presently under construction by National Hydel Power Corporation (NHPC) with an aim to generate high 2000 MW in Gerukamukh in the adjoining Dhemaji district and Lower Subansiri district,if completed ,shall be no exception.

The construction of such high powered dams is bound to compound the problem of floods and erosions in the river banks,ecological imbalance,loss of forest andaquatic resources,extinction of varieties of flora and fauna,resulting unimaginable natural disaster. in the entire downstream region of Subansiri river.

The constructon of mega dam in Gerukamukh is also a threat to the existence of Mising Tani inhabited and Vaishnavite cultural seat of Majuli Island,which also one of the world's largest riverine island.Besides,there are many ''hidden threats'' such as it will affect the fishing communities who depends on the river for their livelihood and forced displacement of the Mising tribe as well as other indigenous communities from their habitat who lives along the banks of Subansiri river.

The earlier report of Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) prepared bya team experts hasn't able to gained the confidence of the local population,it was a biased report in order to satisfy the corporates needs only.The recent announcement for another assessment report should take into account the forseeable disasters and other significant impacts .The proposed mega hydel project in Lower Dibang Valley,with an estimated 3000 MW in Arunachal Pradesh also the country's largest ever proposed dam , has already been objected to theconstruction of mega dam in the region,fearing displacement and outnumbering of the local ethnic Idu Mishmi tribe's populace by imported workers.The Siyom Hydel Project (1000 MW), which is being proposed to built in Upper Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh by Reliance corporate,is too facing similar protests from the indigenous Bori clan of Adi Tani tribe,who also depends on forest resources and fishing for livelihood in the place.

The entire projects in North East will proved costly and bring aboutuntold sufferings not only to the present generation but also to thefuture generation to the people of the region in the long run .The mega projects which are being constructed to provide back up to thedeveloping economy of India will lead to huge disastrous impacts bothnaturally as well artificial not only to the country,but also to the entire world that would result in global warming and climate change.Itis high time that the centre rethink the proposed building of such a huge number of mega hydel project in the region realising the long term affects and act in the greater interests of the people.The Hydel Projects are also known by the local press and people as Aqua bombs in NE India.

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