Mapithel dam violates safeguard policies of ADB: Forum

 FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

 IMPHAL April 8: North East Dialogue Forum has alleged that the Mapithel dam in Manipur violates safeguard policies of the Asian Development Bank and in a statement issued on Wednesday demanded to stop the construction works.   The policies and scope of environmental safeguards on the commitment to technical assessment and  mitigation measures to an emphasis on developing and implementing a comprehensive environment magement plan. The construction works of the dam have been going on for the last 30 years. More than 100 acres of forest and agricultural land are destroyed. As the Thoubal river was  blocked there was complete drying up downstream. There has been no participatory and holistic environment impact assessment and these are against the ADB policies. Though the environmental and forest clearance was denied for the last 34 years the union government gave it in December 2013 making a mockery of the FCA, 1980 and Forest Rights Act, 2006.  As per ADB policy the cultural identity and rights of the indigenous peoples, fair sharing of the developmental benefits and meaningful and culturally appropriate consultation with the indigenous peoples communities are a must. The ADB finced projects  need to mitigate or avoid any adverse impacts of the resettlement and environmental magement plans. But the Mapithel dam is fraught with violations in these aspects.