Selected ACTIVITY UPDATES for the year 2013

1) Resolution of the Public Consultation on “Tipaimukh Dam and Forest Clearance”, organized by the Citizens’ Concern for Dams and Development (CCDD), Committee on Land and Natural Resources (COLNER), Committee on the Protection of Natural Resources in Manipur (CPNRM), North East Dialogue Forum (NEDF) And The Action Committee Against Tipaimukh Dam Project (ACTIP) Held At Manipur Press Club, Imphal On 9 July 2013 

 

The participants of the one day public consultation on “Tipaimukh dam and Forest Clearance” organized by the Citizens Concern for Dams and Development, Committee on Land and Natural Resources, Committee on the Protection of Natural Resources in Manipur, North East Dialogue Forum and the Action Committee Against Tipaimukh Dam Project, held at Manipur Press Club on 9 July 2013 hereby:    

1) Affirm 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.

3) Further affirms indigenous peoples’ self determined rights over our land, forest and resources and to develop and define all development priorities in Manipur as also outlined in the UN Declaration on the rights of Indigenous Peoples, 2007.  

3) Express 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”

4) Further express concern that for the possible “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.

5) Recall that the 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.

6) Also recall that an MoU was signed with the Government of Manipur, the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) and Sutlej Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited (SJVNL) on 28^th April 2010, reaffirmed on 22^nd October 2011, without obtaining the Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) of all affected communities in Manipur, Mizoram and Assam.

7) 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 that: 

1) The Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) of the Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF), Government of India should desist from granting Forest Clearance for the proposed Tipaimukh Multipurpose Hydroelectric Project as this would amount to clear cut violation of the rights of indigenous peoples in Manipur.

2) 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.   

3) 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.

4) 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.  

5) The MoEF should recommend revoking the MoU signed on Tipaimukh Dam by the Government of Manipur with National Hydroelectric Project and Sutlej Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited on 28 April 2010, reaffirmed on 22 October 2011. 

6) 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.  

7) 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.       

8) 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

3) Resolution of  the Public Consultation on “Livelihood Impacts of 105 MW Loktak HEP Project & Manipur Loktak Lake (Protection) Act, 2006 on Communities”, organized by the All Loktak Lake Areas Fishermen’s Union, the All Manipur Thanga Peoples Welfare Association, the Committee on the Protection of Natural Resources in Manipur and the Citizens Concern for Dams and Development on 28 September 2013, at Thanga Haoreng Chingyang, Manipur

 

                 The participants of the Public Consultation on “Livelihood Impacts of 105 MW Loktak Project and Manipur Loktak Lake Protection Act, 2006 on Communities” held on 28^th September 2013 at Thanga Haoreng Chingyang by the All Loktak Lake Areas Fishermen’s Union, the All Manipur Thanga Peoples Welfare Association, the Committee on the Protection of Natural Resources in Manipur and the Citizens Concern for Dams and Development hereby adopted the following observations:       

1) Loktak wetlands are the primary source of livelihood for many indigenous communities of Manipur, through fishing, agriculture, livestock grazing, collection of seasonable foods and medicinal plants etc.  The fishing communities in and around the Loktak Lake have intrinsic and inalienable survival dependence and relationship with the Loktak wetlands.

2) The commissioning of the 105 MW Loktak Multipurpose Hydroelectric project is the prime reason of disturbing and severing the livelihood dependence of indigenous communities in Loktak Lake, primarily by submerging more than 83,000 hectares of prime agricultural land and threatening the availability of indigenous fish species and food plant species.

3) The enactment of the Manipur Loktak Lake (Protection Act), 2006 (MLLPA) has further threatened the livelihood dependence of fishing communities on Loktak wetlands. The MLLPA, 2006 is problematic not only due to its exclusive and non participatory nature of policy formulation but also due its failure to acknowledge the intrinsic survival dependence of communities with Loktak wetlands and further the non recognition and violation of their human rights.

4) The Loktak HEP Project and the promulgation of the Manipur Loktak Lake (Protection Act) 2006 has serious undermined the food sovereignty of Manipur and fostered food dependency on outsiders.

5) The Loktak Wetlands and the unique way of life of communities, including living in floating huts over floating vegetative mass (phumdis) is a natural and cultural heritage of Manipur. 

The participants further resolved:            

1) Recognize the rights of intrinsic rights of communities to control and manage Loktak wetlands for mutual survival and their self determined development of Loktak wetlands based on their needs and aspirations.

2) Repeal Manipur Loktak Lake Protection Act, 2006 for its anti people and anti Loktak provisions

3) Review Loktak Multipurpose Hydroelectric Project for its impacts on Loktak wetlands, including the proliferation of Phumdis in Loktak Lake and impact on Keibul Lamjao National Park.

4) Decommission the Ithai Barrage of Loktak Multipurpose Hydroelectric Project 

5) Return all agriculture land submerged by the Loktak Project to communities

6) Stop all forms of Anti People policy in the guise of development in Loktak wetlands and ensure the Right to Free, Prior and Informed Consent of all indigenous communities depending on Loktak Lake for introduction of any development process in Loktak wetlands.

7) Formulate a comprehensive Wetlands Management Policy in Manipur based on wise use of communities depending on the wetland as per guidelines of Ramsar Convention for Community participation and as per the provision of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

8) Promote the protection of tangible and intangible natural and cultural heritages of Loktak Wetlands.

3) “Recognize the rights and protect Human Rights Defenders of Manipur” Resolution Adopted at the Manipur Convention on Protection of Human Rights Defenders of Manipur” Manipur Press Club, Imphal, Manipur, 19 October 2013

The participants of the Manipur State Convention on “Protection of Human Rights Defenders of Manipur” organized at Manipur Press Club, Imphal, Manipur on 19 October 2013 hereby:  

1) Recalls the role and importance of human rights defenders in an armed conflict afflicted Manipur to end all forms of human rights violations and to seek justice, and further, in fostering respect of democratic values, of culture of rights and in seeking social, economic, environmental, gender, civil and political justice and their contribution in building sustainable peace.

2) Expresses concern with the persisting and increasing threats, ill treatment and harassment of human rights defenders of Manipur by State actors and others for their human rights activism, for promotion of right to life, right to land and natural resources, for women’s and children’s rights etc, in the context of increasing economic liberalization and related development aggressions. Reiterate that targetting human rights defenders are serious human rights violations, under India’s national laws, Int’l Human Rights standards and International Humanitarian Laws.

3) Further, expresses concern with the  summon of Mr. Jiten Yumnam, a human rights defender on 2 October 2013 by Police commandoes at Commando complex, Minuthong, without any legal order and giving any reason and setting premise for further monitoring of his human rights activism.  

4) Recall the obligations and directions of National Human Rights Commission of India to uphold the rights, safety and protection of all human rights defenders of Manipur and across India. Further, recall the 1996 DK Basu Judgement against arbitrary summon, illegal arrest and torture of innocent people.  

5) Recall the recommendations of Mr. Margaret Saggakya, UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders, in her report submitted to the UN Human Rights Council following her visit to India in January 2011 to protect the human rights of all Human Rights Defenders in Manipur and across India.  

6) Expressing concern with the wide misuse of emergency legislations in armed conflict afflicted Manipur, such as the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958, Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, 1967, National Security Act, 1980 which are used to target Human Rights Defenders to rights violations.    

7) Expressing solidarity with the struggle of human rights defender, Ms. Irom Sharmila, who’s been on fast for the last 13 years for the repeal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958

8) Expressing concern with the non functioning of the Manipur Human Rights Commission, due to non appointment of its members, which hinders in seeking protection and justice for human rights defenders

Recall the UN Declaration on the rights of Human Rights Defenders 1998 and express our concern with the absence of specific policy to protect the human rights of all human rights defenders

Picture: Woman HRD sharing during the Convention

The participants of the State Convention on protection of Human Rights Defenders unanimously adopted the following resolutions:    

     

That the Government of Manipur and Government of India should:      

1) Recognize the importance and legitimacy of the works of human rights defenders i.e anyone who “individually and in association with others, promotes and strives for the protection and realization of human rights and fundamental freedoms at all levels (Article 1 of UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, 1998).

2) Ensure the protection of all human rights defenders of Manipur and allow them to continue heir legitimate human rights work without fear of harassment, torture and deprivation of their right to life.

3) Stop targetting all human rights defenders of Manipur to ill treatment, harassment and degrading treatment, and torture including to Mr. Jiten Yumnam, a distinguished human rights defender of Manipur, Mandir Laishram etc and to ensure their safety and protection. 

4) Repeal all emergency laws, which impacts on the security of innocent people and human rights defenders of Manipur, especially, the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958, the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, 1967 and the National Security Act, 1980.

5) To drop all charges against internationally renowned human rights defender, Ms. Irom Sharmila, who is on hunger strike demanding the repeal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958

6) Ensure the full functioning of the Manipur Human Rights Commission, Manipur Information  Commission and all ombudsman of welfare schemes, with due appointment of competent and committed members through a transparent process 

6) Ensure right to information, free exchange of human rights information, freedom of expression for all human rights defenders of Manipur 

7) Fully implement the recommendations of the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders, Ms. Margaret Saggakya in February 2011 during her visit to country visit to India.

8) Establish a policy for the protection of human rights defenders of Manipur with their due consultation in accordance with the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, 1998.  

9) Formulate policies to end all practice of torture, ill treatment, intimidation, reprisal, harassment, degrading treatment, clamping false criminal charges of all human rights defenders and other members of the community in accordance with the UN Convention against Torture   

The participants further resolved to:   

1) Apprise all concerned officials of the Government of Manipur and Government of India to protect the human rights of all human rights defenders of Manipur   

2) Apprise the National Human Rights Commission of India, visiting and holding sessions in Manipur from 23^rd till 25^th October 2013 of the difficulties faced by the human rights defenders of Manipur. Urge the NHRC to allocate adequate time to discuss the matter with human rights defenders during its maiden visit to Manipur.  And further urge the focal point on Human Rights Defenders in National Human Rights Commission to accord special attention to the situation of human rights defenders of Manipur.

4) Resolutions adopted at the community seminars on “Oil exploration in Manipur” held at Keiphundai village and Oinamlong village, Tamenglong district on 17^th and 18^th December 2013, organized by Peoples Endeavour for Social Change, Naga Women Union and the Committee on the Protection on Natural Resources in Manipur  

We, the participants of the Seminar on “Oil Exploration in Manipur”, organized by the Naga Women Union (NWU), Committee on the Protection of Natural Resources in Manipur (CPNRM) and Peoples Endeavour for Social Change (PESCH) at Keiphundai Village and Oinamlong Villages, Tamenglong District, Manipur on 17^th and 18^th December 2013 respectively, hereby resolved: 

1) That our land, forest, water and all the resources within our land belong to the indigenous communities of Manipur and intrinsic for their livelihood and survival.

2) To oppose the ongoing efforts of the Government of India, Government of Manipur, Jubilant Energy and Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) to explore and drill oil (petroleum) from Tamenglong and Churachandpur Districts and Jiribam Sub Division of Manipur without informing and taking consent of communities of Manipur

3) To support all stances, resolution and efforts by communities and all concerned to stop oil exploration and drilling in Manipur

4) That, the Government of Manipur and Jubilant Energy should provide all the information related to Oil and Gas Exploration in Manipur, such as Detailed Project Report, details of Contracts signed between the Government of India and Jubilant Energy and other Multinational corporate bodies. 

Picture: Community Meeting on oil Exploration at Parbung, Churachandpur

 5) The Government of India and Government of Manipur should stop defining arbitrary, unsustainable and destructive development priorities and models in Manipur.

6) That the indigenous communities of Manipur will determine our development priorities based on our development needs and priorities and in accordance with our intrinsic survival dependence over our land and resources.   

Pictures: Rally on Loktak Lake on 2nd Feb 2014, to promote and recognise Communities' right over natural resources

Picture 1: Courtesy Jiten Yumnam

Picture 2: Picture Courtesy Jiten Yumnam

Fallacies of Singda Dam Development Plan

 
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Assessment of Shifting Agriculture Pattern in Chandel District, Manipur

                 ASSESSMENT OF SHIFTING AGRICULTURE PATTERN 
                                        IN CHANDEL DISTRICT, MANIPUR        

                                                               By

                                                  JITEN YUMNAM

                                                               &

                                                 PUSHPA KOIJAM

                                                        REACH-M

                                             CHANDEL, MANIPUR  

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Oil Exploration Plan and Resistance in Manipur

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Nuances of Singda Dam Expansion Plan

By Koijam Pushparani and Jiten Yumnam

Of late, the Government of Manipur decided to develop Singda dam area, which includes development of catchment area, expansion of dam area and beautification of Singda dam as a tourist site. The Government of Manipur through the Irrigation and Flood Control Department also proposed to plant 2 lakhs saplings in the area. In order to accomplish these plans, the government plans to acquire more land for which they issued an order an acquisition of over Seven acres of land around Singda New Bazar in Senapati and Imphal West District.........Read More

Loktak mismanagement & peoples' right

By Jiten Yumnam

Often referred to as the mirror of Manipur, the Loktak Lake continues to be embroiled in endless controversies. One will not disagree that the Loktak Lake, a primary source of livelihood, cultures and traditions of different indigenous peoples of Manipur, is currently afflicted with deep mayhem. On 12 October 2012, the Tehelka, a New Delhi based magazine, exposed how the Government of Manipur indulged itself in a ridiculous mismanagement of Loktak Lake colluding with several corporate bodies in a “phumdi” clean up contract worth Rs. 224 Crores.                   

Tehelka questions how a company, K-Pro Infra Works Limited with only 10 lakhs as paid up capital and existing only on paper with none living in the residential flat claimed to be its office in New Delhi received the multi-crore work order for “Management of Phumdis in the Loktak Lake”. K-Pro also turned out to be a brand new corporate body formed only on 22 June 2009 much after the tender notice of Loktak Development Authority (LDA) on 4 June 2009. One wonders how an absolutely unknown company, who have no work experience, manage to get a multi-Crore project within days of its formation. Despite K-pro the lone bidder, it received the work contracts in violation of the Central Public Works Department norms, which requires at least three bidders for such tenders. Tehelka further questions the hidden agenda of K-pro teaming up with Progressive Constructions Limited (PCL), based in Hyderabad, which received the initial short term work order for phumdi clearance during 2007-2008, without any tender notice etc? In more technical questions related to procedural lapses and signs of high favoritism, question emanates as to why K-pro was given an interest free mobilization advance in violation of CPWD norms. Though the LDA attempts to clarify some of the issues raised by Tehelka through its media circular on 18th October 2012, there are no appropriate answers as LDA tries to justify the questionable decisions of the Government of Manipur due to Planning Department’s insistence for speedy cleanup process and slow pace of work by PCL etc. The questions still remain open and one hopes, there’s some logical conclusions in days to come.  

The nature, intent and lack of transparency of awarding contracts, issues of favoritism, violations of all norms of awarding contracts etc, the legitimacy and experience of the K-Pro company to clean Loktak Lake, the accountability issues, the community participation in Loktak Lake management etc are some key problematic areas emerged out of the ongoing ruckus. The much hyped up efforts to clean up the Phumdis from Loktak Lake by the Loktak Development Authority with K-Pro company, an unknown company, before the award of the contract in 2009 under the controversial Manipur Loktak Lake Protection Act, 2006 (LPA 2006) has already led to the arsoning of floating phum huts and eviction of fisherfolk communities in and around the Loktak Lake in November 2011. The communities depending on Loktak Lake not only received blames as polluters of Loktak Lake but are also subjected to forced eviction and State brutalities. Never has the Government of Manipur so efficient and swift in implementing any activities less for the merciless arsoning and evicting nearly one thousand traditional phum floating huts used for fishing in November 2011. In sharp contrast, the French Government supported Imphal Sewerage Project, which should actually be minimizing the pollution of Loktak Lake, is dragging almost a decade’s time causing enormous inconveniences to the denizens of Imphal. In the case of Loktak evictions, the Government through LDA used all its machineries, the law enforcers, the paramilitary forces in the eviction. One wonders why the contradictions, inconsistencies and also the unnatural expression of full state fury to guardians of the Loktak Lake and for whose interests and gains.  

Communities depending on the Loktak Lake have long experienced sleepless nights and arduous moments ever since the commissioning of the Loktak Multipurpose Hydroelectric project in 1984. The fate of both Loktak Lake and the communities are increasingly uncertain. The project, not only submerged more than 83,000 hectares of prime agricultural land, displaced several thousands of people, but also devastated Loktak Lake ecosystem leading to extinction of several endemic plant and animal species. Communities affected by the project are yet to be resettled and rehabilitated. The communities also underwent several moments of displacements and human rights violations due to military operations in Loktak Lake, such as Loktak Operation in 1999, Operation Summer Storm in 2008 etc.

One wonders who is actually monitoring the processes and impact of the cleaning up of Phumdis by K-pro. And if so, whether it’s done in a participatory and transparent process and as such, the Loktak Lake cleaning up processes by K-Pro, PCL and LDA involves a big accountability issues. K-pro is supposedly earning Rs. 44 Lakhs every day even if it does not work. Communities depending in Loktak Lake are already witness to the dubious means used by K-Pro companies for Loktak Lake clean up. Explorations in interior areas of Loktak Lake inaccessible to JCBs and machineries of K-Pro would reveal that bamboos are extensively used to hold phumdis, which are fast proliferating too. Will K-Pro and LDA hold this phumdis with bamboos till final release of funds from Planning Commission in March 2013?

The blocking of the Manipur River which drains the waters from Loktak Lake down to Chindwin and Irrawady Rivers in Myanmar by the Ithai Barrage of Loktak Project and the rapid urbanization in Imphal and unchecked sewage and sewerage discharge from Satellite towns around Loktak Lake are key reasons of phumdi proliferations in the Lake. Earlier communities regulate phumdis by cutting and discharging excessive Phumdis through Manipur River and now it’s impossible as Ithai Barrage blocks the Manipur River perennially. Has the Government ever taken seriously what natural Loktak Lake cleaning processes has been disturbed and what new factors led to proliferation of Phumdis in the lake. The irony is phumdis will continue to fast proliferate so long as the natural processes of cleaning itself continue to be disturbed. This natural process needs be revived, no temporary solutions will work.

One needs to seriously introspect why the need for phumdi clearance and whether phumdis can actually be cleaned up from Loktak Lake. And is it really possible for Loktak Lake to be free of Phumdis? Communities in Loktak Lake has long maintained Phumdis are key to maintain the health of Loktak Lake, contributing in the biodiversity of Loktak Lake, and that there has to be a balanced approach in the management. Has there been any participatory process and consultations with the communities in Manipur to manage the phumdis in Loktak Lake? Can phumdis be cleared only with JCB’s, water masters and heavy equipments from the vast expanse of the Lake? Has the Government ever and actually thought of alternatives? Has the LDA or the government ever studied the existing various traditional community practices of cleaning up the Lake? Ultimately, how sincere is the government and the corporate bodies to clean up Loktak Lake. One wonders what’s the next multi Crore cleanup plan of Loktak Lake after March 2013, where the current controversial cleanup project is envisaged to end?   

The efforts to clean up the Loktak Lake are also fraught with misinformation and failure to address the root cause of the deteriorating condition of Loktak Lake. For instance, the challenges and issues arising out of the much condemned Loktak Multipurpose Hydroelectric Project has never been acknowledged. The findings of academic or scientific communities hinting the multifaceted problems emanating from Ithai Barrage of Loktak project never been responded. There is no effort to understand the intrinsic interrelationship of the communities with the Lake, which transcends beyond mere physical relationships. The cleaning up process of K-pro is also problematic as communities living in and around the lake who’s been engaging themselves in cleaning and maintaining the Loktak Lake through their traditional knowledge and practices are excluded and their role and responsibilities undermined. Rather, communities are blamed for the deteriorating condition of Loktak Lake. There is heavy politics of blame games and deep within such politics, there are people who indulged in broad day light robbery. There is strong correlation between the phumdi cleaning drive and the eviction drive of communities. The fisherfolk communities in and around Loktak Lake are one of the most vulnerable and most marginalized communities of Manipur. However, they are forced to suffer for the benefit of just few.

One key concern with Loktak lake management is increasing corporatization of the process. The Loktak Development Authority is increasingly serving the corporate interest of the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC), the project proponent of Loktak Project. The terms and agreement between government of Manipur and NHPC continues to be shrouded in mystery. The Lake is increasingly converted into commodities for corporate bodies to exploit and gain maximum profits at the cost of the communities depending on it for survival. The Manipur Loktak Lake Protection Act, 2006 clearly outlined the need for maintaining both quantity and quality of Loktak Lake for NHPC to reap profits from Loktak Project. It’s becoming clear that corporate bodies, such as NHPC, the K-Pro, PCL companies has assumed full ownership of Loktak Lake while forcefully evicting the communities out from Loktak Lake, in a clear disrespect and dishonoring the intrinsic relationship of communities with their land, wetlands and nature, all unaccountability for the devastations and violations to communities  rights. Unfortunately, corporate bodies like the NHPC, PCL etc enjoys full political, bureaucratic and military patronage as communities are victimized and pauperized.   

Loktak Lake is already a designated as Ramsar Protected Site under the Ramsar Convention and one of the key obligations of the Government is to ensure that communities depending on Loktak Wetlands are fully involved in all management process of the Lake as also endorsed by the resolution VII.8 and VIII.19 of Ramsar Convention`s Conference of contracting parties held at Costa Rica in May 1999 and at Spain in November 2002. Notwithstanding these resolutions, fisherfolk communities of Loktak Lake are evicted and their intrinsic survival dependence on the Lake curtailed. The efforts of the Loktak Development Authority are more to ensure government control of Wetlands and not for its conservation. True conservation would begin with the communities living with the wetland for generations.

With diverse positions emerged on the controversial cleanup process, it’s absolutely important to establish all facts and circumstances of the decisions, all procedural violations and impacts on communities. It is high time for the Government to commission an inquiry by an impartial and credible body to investigate the scandalous phumdi clearance process in Loktak Lake, including processes of awarding contract to K-Pro Infra Works Private Ltd in 2009 and the role of Progressive Construction Limited and the Government of Manipur in such scandals. The nature of awarding contracts, the trend of work implementation, the overall impacts of the works implemented till date, the correlation of Loktak Lake clean up and eviction in Loktak Lake must be fully investigated. The investigation should also cover the correlation of phumdi clearance by K-Pro and arsoning of floating huts, forced eviction and displacement of several thousands of fishing communities from Loktak Lake.

Special investigation is also needed to ascertain as to how the physical health and integrity of Loktak Lake is deteriorating after the commissioning of the Loktak Hydroelectric Project and after enactment of the Manipur Loktak Lake Protection Act, 2006 (LPA) and suggest appropriate action, including to decommission the Ithai Barrage and implement the recommendations of World Commission on Dams,  2000. The LPA Act, 2006 is more focused on control and administration of wetlands by the government, which is very much evident by the trend of violent arsoning of floating huts in Loktak Lake in end 2011. And as such, there should be consideration for repeal of the Act and instead formulate the Manipur Fisherfolks Rights and Welfare Act. The government should take appropriate steps to formulate a comprehensive Wetlands Management Policies in Manipur with community participation as per guidelines of Ramsar Convention for Community participation and also in accordance with UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which outlined indigenous peoples rights to manage and control their land, territories and resources and also to participate in all decision making process affecting their land and resources. It is also high time to stop all forms of corporatization and privatization of Loktak Lake. It’s too risky for a wetlands of international importance like Loktak Lake to be left to the clutch of profit mongering selfish few groups of people and corporations in complete inconsideration and insensitivity of the delicate symbiotic relationship of peoples and wetlands.