Protest meet & rally mark Intl
Rivers Day observance
The Hueiyen Lanpao, 15 March 2014
Imphal,
March 14, 2014 : The Mapithel Dam Affected Villagers Organization, the Citizens
Concern for Dams and Development, the Committee on the Protection of Natural
Resources in Manipur and the Centre for Research and Advocacy, Manipur jointly
celebrated the International Rivers Day today at Thoubal River (Yangwuikong
River) at Riha Village along Mapithel Range in Ukhrul District, Manipur with a
public consultation followed by a mass protest rally.
The celebration was organised to observe the importance of the rivers in
sustaining life and health of the Earth, was attended by communities affected
by the ongoing construction of the Mapithel Dam of the Thoubal Multipurpose
Hydroelectric project and environmental activists, Ms Aram Pamei,
Co-Chairperson of Citizens Concern for Dams and Development and Mr.Joseph Hmar,
Secretary of Citizens Concern for Dams and Development (CCDD) and representatives
of Mapithel Dam Affected Villagers Organization.
|
'No
review No Mapithel Dam'
|
|
Ms Aram Pamei, Co-convenor of CCDD explained the significance rivers in sustaining
life and expressed concern with the increased introduction of large hydropower
projects such as Mapithel dam and 1500 MW Tipaimukh dam and several other dams
in Manipur.
She outlined how present day generation inherited our rivers, forest and land
from our forefather and not from the government, and how the present day
generation has the responsibility to safeguard and protect the resources from
its exploitation by the government and profit mongering corporations.
Joseph Hmar, Secretary of CCDD expressed his reservation towards the increasing
corporatisation and privatisation of land, river and other natural resources,
particularly damming of rivers of Manipur and across the India's North East
region. Damming industries has become a very profitable business whose benefits
have been confined to the few corporate at the cost of the lives of indigenous
people.
The necessity to take Free Prior and Informed Consent, to conduct social,
environment impact assessment and to recognize communities' rights over land,
forest and waters is blatantly violated in pursuing such mega dam development
in the region.
Mr. Thanmi Kashung of Mapithel Dam Affected Villagers Organization expressed
his reservation towards welfare policies and projects that don't benefit the
common mass for which the projects were taken up.
He exclaimed to "Think globally, act locally".
The representatives from different villages affected by Mapithel dam such as
Riha, Thoyee, Chadong, Lamlai Khunou etc shared their views and experiences of
the Thoubal River on their livelihood and culture. A representative from
Thoyee expressed the significance of Yangwui Kong River on people's survival,
securing them self sufficiency.
A representative from Chadong village has expressed resentment towards the half
hearted ERC of the government which has in due course of time created social
divisions. Rajesh Ningthoukhongjam, Secretary General of Lifewatch has
expressed that any development initiatives that affect people and environment
should be subjected to thorough review.
The impact of projects on people should be assessed.
Sanaton Laishram, President, Centre for Research and Advocacy, Manipur
expressed the necessity to strengthen communities resolve and determination to
strive for a sustainable and secure future for all communities of Manipur
depending on land, rivers, wetlands, forest etc for livelihood and survival.
The participants of the International River day celebration resolved that the
Thoubal River (Yangwui Kong) is the life, source of history, culture,
livelihood and identity of communities along the River; they would protect the
Thoubal River, preserve it and to ensure its Free Flow; they reaffirm the call
to "LET THE THOUBAL RIVER (YANGWUI KONG) FLOW FREE"; the ongoing
Mapithel dam construction on Yangwuikong River/ Thoubal River is giving a
widespread devastation on people and environment, so the Mapithel Dam should be
reviewed at any cost to respect the wishes, aspiration and demands of all
affected communities; and they would protect their future, defend their land
and river at all cost.
State observes Int’l Day of Action for Rivers and Against Dam
The Imphal Free Press, 15 March 2014
IMPHAL,
March 14: The International rivers day observation was held today at Yangwui
kong, Thoubal river at Riha, jointly organized by Mapithel Dam Affected
Villager Organization (MDAVO), Citizen Concern for Dam and Development (CCDD),
Centre for Research and Advocacy of Manipur (CRAM) and Committee on Protection
of Natural Resource of Manipur (CPNRM).
Speaking during the observation, Ningthoukhongjam Rajesh general secretary of
Life Watches, highlighting the beginning of the International rivers day
observation that began since 1997 in Brazil, asserted that in the last 20 years
that more than 40 major dam were build and more than 40 million people were
displaced.
Voicing his strong opposition against such projects, he explained that the
people not only have the right to know about the plan and program but also have
the right to comment and raise their voices.
Maintaining that the people have every right to protect their natural
resources, Aram Pamei, Co-chairperson of CCDD suggested that every Government
should give prior concern on the safety and rights of indigenous people while
implementing a project.
She further contended that the people must not hesitate to raise their
objection if their rights are infringed. Secretary of CCDD Joseph Hmar,
CRAM Sanaton Laishram, and Puspa Koijam CRAM and other activists also attended
the observation. At the concluding part of the observation a rally was also
organized with participation of 100 of people.
Our Bishnupur correspondent add: The International Day of Action for Rivers and
Against Dam was on Friday observed with the theme “Rivers Unite Us” at Khordak
Community Hall, Khordak Nimai PAjeng in Thanga Assembly constituency.
The day was observed with slogan of “Save the Khordak River and its Sister Rivers;
Decommission Khordak Dam and Ithai” and it was jointly organised by CORE,
ALLAFUM, IP, KWYO, KIC, SAYO and YASOK in association with ACTIP, AMUCO, COHR,
FRIENDS, HRI, NEPA, IPSA, NEDF, NIPCO, PRDA, PALNRO, REACHOUT and UCM. N
Irabot, H Ibotombi Khuman and S Ibopishak attended the function as chief guest,
president and guest of honour respectively.
Our CCPUR correspondent adds: International day of action for river was
observe with the theme “save the Khuga River – Save Churachandpur’’
organized by Centre for Organization Research and Education (CORE),North
East People’s Alliance (NEPA) in Collaboration with North East India
Outlook (NEIO). The chief guest of the occasion Mr Nengkhanlun general
secretary MHJU said that the day is imitated from Brazil where 20 countries
gathering there to ponder upon the degrading condition of the river around the
world.
The chief guest also said that “the River is like human blood that sustains the
human life” and continued that “we are making a big mistake having constructed
Khuga dam as it is the main source of the water and eco imbalances, which was
originally known as Tuitha River by the people in Lanka area”. He urged the
organizers to organize such program so as to bring awareness to the people of
the area in general.
During the occasion, the resource person Ram Wangkheirakpam said that “we must
take cognizant of the drying up of Nambol and Thoubal River which had dried out
due to the excessive exploitation of the river and also due to the
mismanagement by the public who made it their garbage bin.” The most important
factor, he said, for this kind of degradation was mainly due to three factors
namely dams, waste product of the people and encroachment. Later on, the
volunteers of NEPA and NEIO cleaned and sanitized the area of the Tuitha River
at Saidan village area.
International Rivers Day
celebrated in Ukhrul District, Manipur along Thobal (Yangwuikong) river
The
North East Today, March 14th, 2014
TNT News
Imphal: The Mapithel Dam Affected Villagers Organization, the Citizens Concern
for Dams and Development, the Committee on the Protection of Natural Resources in
Manipur and the Centre for Research and Advocacy, Manipur jointly celebrated
the International Rivers Day at Thoubal River (Yangwuikong River) on 14th March
2014 at Riha Village along Mapithel Range in Ukhrul District, Manipur with a
public consultation followed by a mass protest rally. The celebration,
organised to observe the importance of the rivers in sustaining life and health
of the Earth, was attended by communities affected by the ongoing construction
of the Mapithel Dam of the Thoubal Multipurpose Hydroelectric project and
environmental activists, Ms Aram Pamei, Co-Chairperson of Citizens Concern for
Dams and Development and Mr. Joseph Hmar, Secretary of Citizens Concern for
Dams and Development (CCDD) and representatives of Mapithel Dam Affected
Villagers Organization.
Ms Aram
Pamei, Co-convenor of CCDD explained the significance rivers in sustaining life
and expressed concern with the increased introduction of large hydropower
projects such as Mapithel dam and 1500 MW Tipaimukh dam and several other dams
in Manipur. She outlined how present day generation inherited our rivers,
forest and land from our forefather and not from the government, and how the
present day generation has the responsibility to safeguard and protect the
resources from its exploitation by the government and profit mongering
corporations.
Joseph
Hmar, Secretary of CCDD expressed his reservation towards the increasing
corporatisation and privatisation of land, river and other natural resources,
particularly damming of rivers of Manipur and across the India’s North East
region. Damming industries has become a very profitable business whose benefits
have been confined to the few corporate at the cost of the lives of indigenous
people. The necessity to take Free Prior and Informed Consent, to conduct
social, environment impact assessment and to recognize communities’ rights over
land, forest and waters is blatantly violated in pursuing such mega dam
development in the region.
Mr.
Thanmi Kashung of Mapithel Dam Affected Villagers Organization expressed his
reservation towards welfare policies and projects that don’t benefit the common
mass for which the projects were taken up. He exclaimed to “Think globally, act
locally”. The representatives from different villages affected by Mapithel dam
such as Riha, Thoyee, Chadong, Lamlai Khunou etc shared their views and
experiences of the Thoubal River on their livelihood and culture. A
representative from Thoyee expressed the significance of Yangwui Kong River on
people’s survival, securing them self sufficiency. A representative from
Chadong village has expressed resentment towards the half hearted ERC of the
government which has in due course of time created social divisions.
Rajesh
Ningthoukhongjam, Secretary General of Lifewatch has expressed that any
development initiatives that affect people and environment should be subjected
to thorough review. The impact of projects on people should be assessed.
Sanaton Laishram, President, Centre for Research and Advocacy, Manipur
expressed the necessity to strengthen communities resolve and determination to
strive for a sustainable and secure future for all communities of Manipur
depending on land, rivers, wetlands, forest etc for livelihood and survival.
The
participants of the International River day celebration adopted the following
resolutions:
1) The
Thoubal River (Yangwui Kong) is the life, source of history, culture,
livelihood and identify of communities along the River and to for the
environment.
2) We
will protect the Thoubal River, preserve it and to ensure its Free Flow.
3) We
reaffirm our call to “LET THE THOUBAL RIVER (YANGWUI KONG) FLOW FREE”
4) The
ongoing Mapithel dam construction on Yangwuikong River/ Thoubal River is giving
a widespread devastation on people and environment, so the Mapithel Dam should
be reviewed at any cost to respect the wishes, aspiration and demands of all
affected communities.
5) To
protect our future, we will defend our land and river at all cost.
(NNN)
To
protect our future, defend our rivers
The
Morung Express News | March 15, 2014
A protest rally at Thoubal River (Yangwui Kong) on March 14, 2014, at
Riha Village in Ukhrul District, on International Rivers Day. (NNN Photo)
UKHRUL: The Mapithel Dam Affected Villagers Organization (MDAVO), Citizens
Concern For Dams And Development (CCDD), Centre For Research And Advocacy,
Manipur (CRAM), Committee On The Protection Of Natural Resources In Manipur
(CPNRM) jointly celebrated the International Rivers Day at Thoubal River
(Yangwui Kong) on March 14, 2014, at Riha Village along Mapithel Range in
Ukhrul District, with a public consultation followed by a mass protest rally. A
press note from Sanaton Laishram, President, CRAM, R Sakhathan, Chairperson,
MDAVO, Aram Pamei, CPNRM, and, Joseph Hmar, Secretary, CCDD, informed.
The celebration, organised to observe the importance of the rivers in
sustaining life and health of the planet, was attended by communities affected
by the ongoing construction of the Mapithel Dam of the Thoubal Multipurpose
Hydroelectric project and environmental activists, Aram Pamei, Co-Chairperson,
CCDD, and Joseph Hmar, Secretary, CCDD, and representatives of MDAVO.
Pamei, explaining the significance of rivers in sustaining life,
expressed concern with the increased introduction of large hydropower projects
such as Mapithel dam, the 1500 MW Tipaimukh dam, and several other dams in
Manipur. Stating that the present day generation inherited the rivers, forests,
and land, from our forefathers and not from the government, she asserted that
the present day generation has the responsibility to safeguard and protect the
resources from its exploitation by the government and profit mongering
corporations.
Hmar, meanwhile, expressed his reservation towards the increasing
corporatisation and privatisation of land, rivers and other natural resources,
particularly damming of rivers of Manipur and across India’s North East region.
Damming industries has become a very profitable business whose benefits have
been confined to the few corporate at the cost of the lives of indigenous
people. The necessity to take Free Prior and Informed Consent, to conduct
social, environment impact assessment and to recognize communities’ rights over
land, forest and waters is blatantly violated in pursuing such mega dam
development in the region, Hmar stated.
Thanmi Kashung, a member of MDAVO, expressed his reservation towards
welfare policies and projects that don’t benefit the common mass for which the
projects were taken up. He exclaimed “Think globally, act locally”. The
representatives from different villages affected by Mapithel dam such as Riha,
Thoyee, Chadong, Lamlai Khunou etc. shared their views and experiences of the
Thoubal River on their livelihood and culture. A representative from Thoyee
expressed the significance of Yangwui Kong River on people’s survival, securing
them self sufficiency. A representative from Chadong village had earlier
expressed resentment towards the half hearted ERC of the government which has
created social divisions.
Rajesh Ningthoukhongjam, Secretary General, Lifewatch, expressed that
any development initiatives that affect people and environment should be
subjected to thorough review and the impact of projects on people should be
assessed. Sanaton Laishram, President, Centre for Research and Advocacy,
Manipur, expressed the necessity to strengthen communities resolve and
determination to strive for a sustainable and secure future for all communities
of Manipur depending on land, rivers, wetlands, forest etc. for livelihood and
survival.
The participants of the International River day celebration adopted the
following resolutions: 1) The Thoubal River (Yangwui Kong) is the life, source
of history, culture, livelihood and identity of communities along the River. 2)
We will protect the Thoubal River, preserve it and to ensure its Free Flow. 3)
We reaffirm our call to “Let the Thoubal River (Yangwui Kong) flow free.” 4)
The ongoing Mapithel dam construction on Yangwuikong River/ Thoubal River is
giving a widespread devastation on people and environment, so the Mapithel Dam
should be reviewed at any cost to respect the wishes, aspiration and demands of
all affected communities. 5) To protect our future, we will defend our land and
river at all cost.
International Rivers Day
celebrated at Thoubal river
The Eastern
Mirror, Nagaland
The 15th
March 2014
14 March: The Mapithel Dam Affected Villagers Organization,
the Citizens Concern for Dams and Development, the Committee on the Protection
of Natural Resources in Manipur and the Centre for Research and Advocacy,
Manipur jointly celebrated the International Rivers Day at Thoubal river
(Yangwuikong river) at Riha village along Mapithel Range in Ukhrul district of
Manipur with a public consultation followed by a mass protest rally today.The
celebration, organised to observe the importance of the rivers in sustaining
life and health of the mother earth, was attended by communities affected by
the ongoing construction of the Mapithel Dam of the Thoubal Multipurpose
Hydroelectric Project and environmental activists, Aram Pamei, co-chairperson
of Citizens Concern for Dams and Development and Joseph Hmar, secretary of
Citizens Concern for Dams and Development (CCDD) and representatives of
Mapithel Dam Affected Villagers Organization.
Aram Pamei explained the significance rivers in sustaining life and expressed
concern over the increased introduction of large hydropower projects such as
Mapithel Dam and 1500 MW Tipaimukh Dam and several other dams in Manipur. She
elaborated on how present day generation inherited our rivers, forest and land
from our forefathers and not from the government, and what responsibility the
present day generation has to safeguard and protect the resources from its
exploitation by the government and profit mongering corporations.
Joseph Hmar expressed his reservation over the increasing corporatisation and
privatisation of land, river and other natural resources, particularly damming
of rivers of Manipur and across the India’s North East region.
Damming industries has become a very profitable business whose benefits have
been confined to the few corporate at the cost of the lives of indigenous
people, he said while stressing the need to take free prior and informed consent,
to conduct social and environment impact assessment and to recognize
communities’ rights over land, forest and waters. These are blatantly violated
in pursuing such mega dam development in the region, he added.
Thanmi Kashung of Mapithel Dam Affected Villagers Organization expressed his
reservation towards welfare policies and projects that don’t benefit the common
mass for which the projects were taken up.
Rajesh Ningthoukhongjam, secretary general of Lifewatch, said any development
initiatives that affect people and environment should be subjected to thorough
review.
The participants of the International River Day celebration adopted the
following resolutions:
1) The Thoubal River (Yangwui Kong) is the life, source of history, culture,
livelihood and identify of communities along the River and to for the
environment.
2) We will protect the Thoubal River, preserve it and to ensure its Free Flow.
3) We reaffirm our call to “LET THE THOUBAL RIVER (YANGWUI KONG) FLOW FREE”
4) The ongoing Mapithel dam construction on Yangwuikong River/ Thoubal River is
giving a widespread devastation on people and environment, so the Mapithel Dam
should be reviewed at any cost to respect the wishes, aspiration and demands of
all affected communities.
5) To protect our future, we will defend our land and river at all cost.
CSO
representatives from countries across the Asia Pacific
expressed resounding concern last March 10-11 over the
shrinking civil society space in the region in the
recently concluded Asia-Pacific
Regional Consultation on Building Evidence in
Seoul, Korea.
