Anti-hydropower project movt gains momentum

Itanagar, May 24: The All Adi Students' Union (AASU) today threatened to launch an agitation if its list of conditions to be followed for implementing hydropower projects were not followed.

Joining the anti-hydropower project movement to protect the rights of indigenous people of the state, particularly those likely to be affected by execution of numerous projects, the AASU had announced a list of conditions to be strictly followed.

AASU President Kukut Talem and General Secretary Raja Kening opposed the recent policy of the Arunachal Pradesh government to construct ten projects, which include the Amulin (420 mw), Emini (500 mw), Angoline (375 mw) and Mithundon (400 mw) in Dibang Valley district and Sissiri (222 mw) in Lower Dibang Valley district, all in Dibang basin. Pointing out that neither had detailed project reports (DPRs) been prepared nor notified to win the confidence of the people, the union apprehended that large number of projects in a district would affect the livelihood of local residents, who would be outnumbered by outsiders following unchecked influx in the name of projects.

While the projects would destroy the flora and fauna which sustain the life of the locals, their home and hearth would also be lost as no rehabilitation packages had been announced, they alleged. The AASU urged the state government to strictly adhere to nine conditions, including immediate cancellation of proposed tender scheduled to be closed on June 7 till the grievances of the local people were met, DPRs of all projects prepared and notified for public referendum, inclusion of student, public and other groups' representatives in 'board of directors or chairman' and 100 per cent reservation for APST in non-technical and unskilled jobs.

Incidenatlly, while the Environment Protection&Sustainable Development Society (EPSDS) recently advocated a number of criteria for project implementation and threatened legal recourse in case of non-compliance, Voluntary Arunachal Sena(VAS) announced to stop outside developers to execute projects till people were convinced that their interest would be protected.

Moreover the 3,000 MW Dibang Valley Multipurpose Project had run into rough weather after the proposed public hearings were opposed by Idu Cultural Literary Society (ICLS) as the people were neither ''well informed'' about the details of environment impact assessment (EIA) report nor made aware of its notification.

UNI