Mail News Service
Imphal, July 27 : The Citizens Concern for Dams and Development and the Committee on the Protection of Natural Resources in Manipur welcomed the “Forest Clearance” rejection for the proposed I500 MW proposed Tipaimukh Multipurpose Hydroelectric Project by the Forest Advisory meeting on 11 -12m July 2012. The rejection of forest clearance by FAC has proven that the Govt of Manipur and dam building companies pursued destructive forms of development in Manipur with no Clearance” for Tipaimukh dam on 24 October 2008 was accorded based on wrong information.
The reasons of objections outlined by the FAC of MoEF that the project Tipaimukh Dam project would cause widespread devastation of the flora, fauna; ecology in Barak Riverine Ecosystem and socio economic conditions for affected communities has long been highlighted by affected communities and proposed Tipaimukh Dam is simply more than one hundred (100) times the average rate of forest submergence by any other hydel projects in India is just an absurd reality. Further, the requirement of Sixteen (16) hectares of forest land for every Mega Wan of power to be generated is estra-ordinarily Sq. Km) will be one of the highest land requirement by any single project all over the world. The process for granting ‘Environment Clearance” and “Forest Clearance” has been carried out without any research.
The Citizens Concern for Dams and Development and the Committee on the Protection of Natural Resources in Manipur would like to urge the Miniscry of Environment and Forest and tha Govtof India to respect the recommendations of the Forest Advisory Committee on Tipaimukh Dam not to also high time that the Govtof Manipur revoke the MoU signed with National Hydroelectric Power Corporation and the Salluj Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited in 2010 given the confirmed multifaceted impacts. The Govtshould now embark on an alternative model of power generation Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, 2007 should be respected while pursuing mega dams.
Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/decision-on-tipaimukh-dam-welcomed/
