Recently, I had sent out an email to various mailing lists of Assamese community outside Assam. In my email, I had requested the community to sign an online petition against the Government's decision to build mega-dams in Northeast. The resulting email exchanges have been VERY interesting. Please read on...
Me:
The Government of India has proposed the construction of over 100 mega dams in the seismologically & geologically sensitive Northeast region of India - and that too AGAINST the advice of a Govt. appointed Expert committee!! In June 2010, a scientific committee jointly established by the Assam Government and National hydro-Power Corporation presented their report on their study of the downstream impacts of the 2000 MW Lower Subansiri Mega Dam Project. Excerpt from the report submitted by this expert committee: “…The selected site for the mega dam of the present dimension was not appropriate in such a geologically and seismologically sensitive location…Therefore, it is recommended not to construct the mega dam in the present site…”.Studies show that the power requirement can be met by ecologically safer and environment-friendly smaller dams as well. So, why build mega dams and cause unthinkable damage when the power requirement can be met by making safe smaller dams?
We are starting a petition campaign against the construction of these mega dams. A physical signature is already gaining momentum in Assam and the adjacent states. We are also aiming to garner 100000 signatures through an online petition. Please help our cause by signing this online petition - http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/megadamsneindia Also, please forward it all your friends and acquaintances.
Mr.X:
Your concern is appreciated. But is it possible to change the focus.
You may be aware that construction engineering technology has evolved like anything over the years. That has enables the companies to build road tunnel even under the sea or ocean.So why not allow to build a dam to generate more electricity so that ASSAM can prosper.
If you really want to challenge why not challenge the DESIGN of dam so that it can resist earthquack of even 8 in Richter scale, construction material used etc, rather than hindering the GROWTH of ASSAM.
You do appreciate the fact the Communist Country like China has also changed their perspective toward Capitalist Economy. Why not we the POOR people of ASSAM....
Mr. Y: I really second Mr. X !!!
We should not be hindrance to the growth of ASSAM. If a robust construction and design can built a 8+ Richter earthquake withstanding dam, it will not only be an engineering marvel, pride of Assam/North-East and a symbol of progress in the region.
Me: Hi Mr. X,
I think you misunderstood me. I am myself an engineer and a firm believer in technology. Development will not be possible without the use of technology.
We are NOT saying, "Do not build dams in NE." We are saying, "Do not build mega-dams (big dams) in Northeast since these will lead to irrepairable damage to the people and ecology with no possible rehabilitation. The same power requirement can be met by making more number of small dams which are safe and eco-friendly. So, make small dams, not mega-dams."
Also, earthquakes is just one of the problems associated with mega-dams. By the way, the water released by the mega-dams of China have already started causing flash floods in various regions in Assam.
I hope I have been able to address your query.
Cheers!
Mr. Z: Very good comments, Mr. X. People in Assam and the Northeast should realize that Bhakra Dam and Nangal Barrage have provided cheap electricity and irrigation water to the farmers of Punjab over the last half century. That is why Punjab has prosperred while the NE is as backward as ever. Japan and California are located in highly seismic zones. But high, low, medium height dams have been built in these places to provide benifits of clean renewable electricity for industry and people, flood control benifits and cheap water for irrigation over the last century. How many dam failures have you heard of in California and Japan? Isn't Bhakra, one of the tallest dams in the world, not located in a seismic zone?
Our mind set will have to change if we are to improve our lot.
Could you define what a mega dam is? Building flood control dams do not cause flood if a proper 'rule curve of operation of the reservoir' is developed considering downstream channel capacity to avoid flooding.
Mr. A:
How on earth will the Lower Subansiri dam mitigate flooding? I will be very interested in learning HOW exactly this Lower Subansiri dam is expected to mitigate flooding and how it will contribute to Assam's "PROGRESS/DEVELOPMENT" ?
Is it a project for NE's development? Or is it really a ploy for India to rip off the region's resources, while leaving the population at risk?
Surely it will enrich a few political power-brokers in Arunachal. But WHAT are these dam builders doing, or proposing to do about the massive erosion form road building, forest clearing , township building, thousands of imported worker housing construction and subsequent exacerbation of silting of the waterways downstream, that have been the primary cause of increasing flooding at the Brahmaputra valley?
And finally, will the power generated by this dam be available to Assam free or even at discounted rates, or will it be sold to the highest bidders, by GoI ?
Smarajit Ojah:
For all my friends who have commented that Building Large Dams would bring about prosperity for Assam, here are a few eye-openers:
1. Assam's share of the total generated electricity would be only 4 to 6 %, which is not at all enough for supporting the 'economic growth rate' required for bringing Assam;s BPL Population above the Poverty Line.
2. Exactly who would be the end-users of the electricity? Would the government undertake that they would provide free electricity and lighting equipments at a subsidised rates for the poor of Assam? Rather, I am sure,that most of the electricity would be used to light up the many upcoming malls and unsistainably-growing urban 'pockets' of Assam
3. Established studies show us that the total electricty lost during transmission due to the pood distribution system is nearly 40%. It would be winderful if the Government instead, concentrate on plugging this transimission loss. THIS WOULD, IN ITSELF, BE ENOUGH TO PROVIDE ELECTRICITY TO NEARLY 70% OF THE POOR AGRICULTURAL FARMERS OF THE STATE.
4. The Bhakra Nangal Dam is located in a completely different geological unit. Any large dam would not stand a chance against the huge problem of sediment load carrying capacity of the Brahmaputra River System, including the Subansiri River.
5. What exactly prompted the Centre to opt for Large Dams is a BIG MYSTREY. Instead, if the people of Assam and Northeast in general, wish for development in a sustainable way, we must opt for micro and mini dams, and such dams will be more than sufficient to address the LOCAL ELECTRICITY NEEDS of the rural poor as well as have enough 'left-over' to support the development of the urban centres. So where is the need of opting for large dams, ignoring so much risks?
6. It is not a question of development, rather a struggle for existence for millions of Assamese communities from the already 'DAM-INDUCED FLOOD AFFECTED REGIONS' of Dhemaji, Lakhimpur, Nagaon and Morigaon. WHO ARE WE TO SNATCH AWAY THEIR RIGHTS TO LIFE AND LIVELIHOOD AND TALK OF OUR DEVELOPMENT? Have we bothered of visiting those places and look at the enormous destruction, sorrow and poverty that Large Dams can create?
7. Even if we agree that modern engineering Technology may make it possible to build large dams over the seismically active area of Northeast India, yet, who can predict that earthquakes with intensity of more than 8 on the richter scale wont strike the region? How many of our 'experts' ever predicted that tsunamis would ever affect the Indian Coast? Yet, tsunamis did strike, and wiped away so many lives.
8. Finally, for ensuring energy security, our so called expert engineers MUST INNOVATE AND BUILD NEW TECHNOLOGIES for meeting the Energy Demands through Alternative Means and not BECOME 'IMMITATORS' AND COPY THE "SO-CALLED' SUCCESS OF LARGE DAMS IN OTHER PARTS OF INDIA. North East India is an entirely different entity, a world in itself, and can never be compared to any other geographic region of India or the World.
So let us instead, conserve our strength, our diversity, and not destroy it and bring death and destruction on ourselves and our brothers.
Peace,
Smarajit Ojah
Ankur Bora:
Aryama in the petition is emphasizing the adverse environmental impact of these dams. They are building not a single dam but hundreds of them. In fact it is reported that Arunchal Pradesh is in a “dam mania” The impact on the downstream places like Dhemaji , Gogamukh is going to be devastating. The population of these places has a right to ask for a proper study. The petition is not about the economic development ( or non –development ) , it’s about the environmental issues to promote inclusive and participative development.
Manash:
Smarajit:
Ankur Bora has pointed out a very important fact here. The Ministry of Environment and Forest has highlighted the environmental impacts of the Large Dams on the frigile biodiversity of Northeast India. No comprehensive EIA was done before the construction was started, and whatever little was done, it has now been revealed to be a big LIE, a complete copy-paste job from other EIA reports. So the MoEF was quite right to question the NHPC in this regard and the MoED now must halt further construction activities until a comprehensive downstream impact assessment of all the functioning, under-construction and proposed dams is not complete. Until then, none of us here are expert enough tho comment on the possible environmental impacts of the dams. What we want is the Central and State Government to complete the Cummilative Downstream Impact Assesment Study in an unbiased and comprehensive way at the earliest.
Mr. Z:
It is one thing to have EIS done with regard to any engineering project. It is another thing to keep on harping and opposing any and all development projects related to resources we have in the NE. I had reviewed a number of reports written by experts, domestic and foreign, and commissions over the last 5 decades on development of the Brahmaputra. They all conclude, more or less, the same conclusions. A time comes when people will have to work and not just oppose anything and everything. We have learnt the art of protest but not work and responsibilty. I am absolutely sure one more EIS study will not satify the people who oppose development.
Have no EIS statement been preoared with regard to the projects at hand? If not, why not?
Smarajit:
Well, the first setp for any large-scale developmental project is the conduct of a comprehensive and unbiased EIA. Since the NHPC has not done so, and has violated the very norms as set by the government, then their intentions are bound to be questioned. And any further discussions can only be done after they perform their duty of furnishing the EIA report. NHPC cheated us all with their sham EIA report. Till they do not conduct the EIA properly, the NHPC must be instructed to halt construction.
I would also request the skeptics to read my previous post and comment.
Mr. Z:
Nothing can be worse than what is happening to Dhemaji today. The town is being gobbled by the river by floods each and every year. I had recommended to the GOA to see that every dam built in the upper reaches of the Brahmaputra is provided with some flood control storage. The cumulative impact of these dams would be reduction of the annual misery the people of Assam experience.
Every act of development has good and not so good impact on people of a society. We compromise for net positive in the decision making process. Do you think the sprawling Guwahati with the hedious concrete buildings desirable? They will be also subject to seismic forces during earthquakes. And these buildings are a live danger to people who live there. What do you do about that situation?
Mr. A:
I had seen the FAKE EIA produced for the project. It was a pathetic piece, as you said cut and pasted from different similar fake EIAs, sometimes citing issues that had no relation to the site.
But we all know HOW that is.
What is quite amazing is that the GoI has chosen, to, with the puppet govts. of Assam and Arunachal as a willing accomplices , to ignore the recommendation of the panel constituted with IIT-G, GU and DU professors. It proves that the entire exercise of preparation of EIAs , studies, reviews etc. is done merely to obtain a rubber-stamping of its own pre-conceived decisions.
Are we attempting to have two wrongs make a right?
We need to look at every issue with integrity . Indian govts' long record of making decisions first and then picking and choosing whose analyses they would accept and whose they will reject demonstrates the profound bad faith with which it operates to advance special interests in the guise of development.
Why is it that those who are in the know, don't speak out about the massive erosion and siltation, never mind the many other destructive results, that this dam project is creating?
Me:
Hi Smarajit, thanks for this information.
Dear X, Y, Z and everyone else who is not opposed to the building of the 168 mega dams in NE,
My question to you is - When development can be obtained without causing any destruction, then why cause mindless and irrepairable destruction? All of us can guess what those in power who want these megadams built by corporates have to gain.
Mr. Z:
It appears we are seeing no end to our problems. In a democracy we elect people to set policies to help its constituents. If the GOA and its bureaucrats as well as the press are not doing their job, where do we stand with respect to interest of the country and the people of the NE. May be solution is to get involved in positive politics instead of protests after the facts. Where were the people when comments about the fake EIS were made available? What do we do now? May be press to change operation of the hydro power dam during the flood season. It i9s absolutely incumbent upon us, the press, politicians and bureaucrats to oppose construction of any dam without flood control storage which will be used to release during the low flow winter season to maintain the minimum flow required in the river downstream for ecology, water quality and maintenance of animal and plant life.
There must be some way of putting pressure in the thinking of the policy makers by the press and the people with knowledge of the river.
Me:
Well, it's nothing new. The only time when NE gets attention is when there is a bomb blast. There is absolutely no coverage in the national media about this dam issue. Most people are not aware of this issue at all - even the otherwise aware people.
Would request all of you to whatever you can to spread the word. Most people do not have the complete information. Most people are thinking that we are anti-dam, and, hence anti-development. The truth is we are NOT anti-dam- it's just mega-dams. Most people do not know the truth. I would request all of you to get as many signatures on this online petition as possible. We are running this parallelly with the physical signature collection campaign that is gaining momentum in rural Assam. What the national media is not reporting is that the police in Assam is arresting the campaigners in Assam for collecting signatures on anti-dam petition. Please see this –
Mrinal Talukdar:
Yes you are true that national media is not covering Assam. But the fact remains that national media is only obsessed with Food, Follywood and Fun. They anyway do not cover core issues any more. Except Cricket, Crime and Cinema..no such issues are picked up.
Please pick up the 15th anniversary issue of Outlook, it has covered the whole issue in the entire issue with 15 write ups. There has been counterattacks and Indian Express has taken the lead going after Jairam Ramesh. When Rs 25,000 crore are at stake nothing is impossible. Realizing this, I made a 14 miunte long documentary on the whole movement to take the issue at the international level.
Smarajit:
Dear Mrinal Da,
All of us know that the 'national media' groups are pursuing their own 'not-so-hidden' objectives! Even, Times Now... So why would they care about the perinneal problems of the distant, politically insignificant northeast? It is important that the people of Assam stand up and raise their voice against the issues affecting all of us. I would request you to please upload your documentary to youtube so that we can view the same for gaining further insight into the issue of Large Dams.
Dear Mr Z,
Flood Control Storages behind Large Dams ad Flood Mitigation Measures is invariably going to be a BIG failure. I am sure that you yourself would be aware of the volume of sediment load carried by the Brahmaputra and its tributaries. Such a load would result in large scale sedimentation of the Storage Reservoirs. Ultimately, the retention capacity of the reserviors would go down significantly, and this will result in a significant reduction in the flood mitigation capacity of the dams.
Further, with such huge the volume of water flowing through the Brahmaputra River System, to be succesful flood mitigation measures, the reservoirs would have to be pretty large, which is again going to be huge hazards for the seismically active northeast India.
Therefore, the experts of NHPC had proposed the construction of Run-of-the River Projects, AND THE LOWER SUBANSIRI PROJECT IS SUPPOSED TO BE A R-O-T-R PROJECT. if one goes by the blueprint as provided by the NHPC (as if they can be trusted!) And I am sure that you are well aware that ROTR Projects are hardly effective flood mitigation measures.
So much for the intentions of the Centre and State Govt to portray the large dams as flood control measures.
WELL, IF THE CENTRE IS SO MUCH INTERESTED TO CONTROL THE PERINNEAL FLOOD PROBLEM OF ASSAM, LET THEM DECLARE THE SAME AS A NATIONAL PROBLEM AND LET THE SATE GOVERNMENT REFORM THE BRAHMAPUTRA BOARD AND REDUCE THE CORRUPTION AND CONSTRUCT EFFECTIVE EMBANKMENTS. AND LET THE STATE GOVERNMENT PREVENT THE ILLEGAL SETTLERS FROM MAKING THE FLOOD PRONE CHARS AND CHAPORIS OF MORIGAON AND NAGAON THEIR HOME AND LIVELIHOOD SOURCE. The problem of floods will be taken care of automatically.
We need to ask ourselves, AT WHAT COST, DO WE NEED DEVELOPMENT? My earlier email asks some pertinent questions, to which i have not seen any answers from anyone.
Aryama ba, you summed it right in your earlier email. "When development can be obtained without causing any destruction, then why cause mindless and irrepairable destruction? All of us can guess what those in power who want these megadams built by corporates have to gain"
Peace..
Smarajit Ojah
Me:
Mr. A, I agree with you completely.
This current issue of dams in NE is just one of several issues arising from the Unitary system of governance that we have in India. Kashmir and Red 'corridor' are, of course, some others. In a country as diverse as India, Federal system is what would have a higher chance of success. Of course, a complete system overhaul is not going to happen overnight :) So, in the short-term, I will settle for the State and Central Governments calling off the 100+ mega-dams planned in the northeast.
On Oct 25, Akhil Gogoi was given the Young Indian Leader award by CNN IBN. He used the platform well to highlight the issue of mega dams in NE. In fact, Naveen Jindal who was present at the ceremony got on stage to debate with him, and ended up saying that if anyone is able to convince him about the harmful impact of mega-dams in NE, then he promised that Jindal group will not build any mega-dam in NE. I hope Jindal keeps his word!
Mr. A:
Smarajit,
Embankment building is a terrible idea. It does NOT abate flooding. It may for a few, while leaving others vulnerable, while prolonging the destructive effects by preventing water from returning to the main channels. The flooding in the Brahmaputra valley cannot be abated with the wave of a magic solution wand, be it dams, be it embankment building or whatever else. It requires a number of sustained, long term efforts, diligently pursued and implemented. One significant part of it is dredging the rivers to increase the water carrying capacities and accelerating the flow with straightened channels that will abate bank erosion and silt build-up. Along with that massive efforts at new source of siltation must be put in place with ruthless compliance mechanisms.
Me:
Smarajit, you will be surprised (or maybe not :)) to know that after I sent out this email, the first few replies I got asked almost the same question "What's the use of such petitions? Who will listen? (eibur kori ki laabh?)" Reminded me the responses we had got on the SAG page :):)
Anyway, we are so quick to calculate profit/loss of each thing that I am baffled why the same people are not able to do the same profit/loss calculation (pros Vs cons assessment) of big dams in northeast....
Ankur Bora:
With due regards I would like to point out that this is going out of scope of the initial petition. There are numerous agencies , various experts within and outside of GOA , GOI to discuss / recommend on the concrete building of Guwahati . I don’t think we ( majority of us) have clues to dwell on this subject.
Aryama and other are trying to convey the potential impact of these dams on the downstream population. I am native of Nagaon and I remember the sufferings of the villagers when NEPCO used to release the excess rain waters from the constructed dam. Thousands of people from inundated villages had to take shelters in the highland. A single dam can cause so much havoc , here we are talking about hundreds of them. We request our netters to consider all these aspects while deciding on the petition.
Me:
Thanks, Ankur :):)
So, coming back to the original objective of this mailstring - if you do not like the destruction of NE, please sign our online petition. Also, please spread the word -
Mr. B
Sorry, I am not going to agree with the petition. If you need development, think for development. But this is under political issue.
There are senior experts here to comment on the Project infrastructure.
I can simply comment it out, that the shout against the DAM is nothing else, but a Political issue.
Things are simple. You need Eletricity or not? If you need, organize seminar for a DAM without risk factor towards Earthquakes.
And if you do not need Eletricity, then you know what you are saying.
Anjan Saikia:
Yes very true, we ( majority of us, especially those who don’t live in India) don’t have clues to dwell on this subject. I am tired of seeing this thread going towards same old assamsnet style.
Those research reports made by the experts are based on scientific data. Just one simple example, they are talking about ‘silt’ and ‘siltation of waterway’, and this is a huge issue back there. And on the other hand, on this thread, someone is talking about ‘changing mind set’, someone says ‘this is political’.. Well, let’s forget about the ‘psychology of the mind’ and the politics of this dam and get into the scientific facts.
Ankur Bora:
Aryama, we need to re-focus on the online petition. Moreover , I think , you have to prepare for a continuous and sustained effort. My suggestion is open forums like yahoo / google mail group. You will also need to involve experts on this topics. I am marking a copy to J.N. Khataniar of Guwahati and Mirza Zulfiqur Rahman of Johat who have published papers and also have experience working on the field. You can get in touch with them for input. You will also need support from media ; Mrinal Talkudar has responded with his feedback.
You may also consider periodic skype tele-conference among the group members.
All the best
Ankur
"Lehron se Darkar nauka par nahin hoti,
himmat karne walon ki haar nahin hoti "
You cannot take your boat across the sea
If you are afraid of the waves,
The one who tries Never fails.
Mrinal Talukdar:
We need soldiers on the ground. More are better..all front...every front....otherwise there will be nothing called "HOME" for all of us.
If possible do somehing more than online petition and Skype conferencing.
Now onslaught will be on the technical experts and already their datas are questioned by Expert Appraisal Committee of MOEFF and Gogoi is talking of foreign experts. Those who have technical expertise from University background, come around them and put up a fight. We need more than word of wisdom.
We have and will politically confront the issue and largely successful in moulding the opinion of the people of Assam but we need more scientific support to back up the Expert Committee Reports.
Most of you are from science background and great individual..please help them, in whatever forum.
Those of you live in New Zealand, Australia, Canada, Scandinavian Countries and US ..why do not you (even 5-10 will be enough) come out with a few placards and protest in front of the Indian embassy for half an hour.
This will make international headline and internationalize the issue and we will be able top draw the attention of the world media.
And then send the video footage to me , we shall handle....
Rakesh:
respected all,
i m sorry that i cant gone through more than 7 mails replied to the above subject. before going to any debate we have to determine the fire-line of Development first. however it should cover each and every class interest without any biasness. secondly, i hope we all have a fair idea about Sustainability.
the devlopment without any sustainable future has no use. without going for much political stand towards common people of my region i just want to say that the generation of power shouldn't be over a dark future of poor section. who can vote but can't decide. i had given the same argument to Mr. Rahul Gandhi in his last visit to IIT Ghy.
Again i clear u all that, i am not against power production or Dams but my first priority is the future of poor villagers.
Mr. X:
Shardhaspot byoktigoan!
It is really appreciated that everyone is concern about growth. Someone like me believes in aggressive growth trend and someone feel modest is no problem. In the conversation someone is talking at micro level and someone at macro level. Moreover some view points are expressed as Socialist and others Capitalist.
Why those poor people should always be poor. They have the right to be a part of the present growth trend. We should agree upon more aggressive growth pattern where we can include those who are missing this. Growth means opportunity, opportunity comes from Industrialization and only industries can absorb those uneducated poor’s. I suppose everyone agree on the fact that Service Industry can’t give opportunity where we can address issues of those poor people. I am sure for Industrialization to happen ASSAM requires more electricity, ignoring other socioeconomic issues at the root level of ASSAM.
It should not be happen that we end up with nothing. How long we will say POOR people, let poor people also grow economically to enjoy a day without thinking for two meals. And moreover what if those POOR people were not POOR?
Mrinal Talukdar:
Assam's present need is 1000-1200 MW. In 2030 it will be around 4000 MW. The North East need should be around 10000 MW by 2030. Here we are talking of 58000-65000 MW. To run a 9-10% per cent growth engine of the nation you need power...but why at the cost of the locals. We need energy but debate is how to get sustainable energy. In comparison to Fossil Fuel, Hydel is better option but at what cost......
By the way Assam is not poor. Only the definition of poor can vary with different individuals.
Me:
Thanks, Mrinal da.
I was typing exactly the same message.
This situation is so similar to the time when British Raj was forcing farmers to grow Indigo... and, we all know, what that resulted in :)
