DIMAPUR, Dec 8 (MExN): The construction of a dam seems to have affected the people of some villages in Manipur. The Mapithel Dam Affected Villages Organization (MDAVO), in an intimation to the Chief Engineer, Government of Manipur states that the Mapithel dam under the Thoubal Multipurpose Project commenced without “environmental clearance,” either from the Ministry of Environment and Forests or a no objection certificate from the Manipur Pollution Control Board, under the Environment Protection Act, 1986 and its Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) notifications of 1994, 1997 and 2002, etc and in the process disrespecting recommendations of the World Commission of Dams 2000 on environmental clearances while undertaking dam projects.
A detailed EIA underlining the likely impact of the project on the ecology, environment, human, flora and fauna in Mapithel Valley with information for at least one year encompassing all seasons and the preparation of Environment Management Plan, outlining environmental protection measures during and after the commissioning of the project, is still absent for the project, the open letter to the Chief Engineer said.
The downstream impact of the project, including water scarcity, fallout of dam break, over flooding of water during monsoon etc are still not addressed, according to MDAVO.
“All existing inclusive and participatory process and norms taking the consent of the affected people in the project is still absent and the project is shrouded with lack of transparency,” it stated.
