Dams may worsen State floods: Experts Staff reporter GUWAHATI, Sept 2 Issues like who determines the development projects, how they are determined and for whom these projects are meant came in for sharp discussion at the ultimate day discussion of the two-day dialogue on hydel dams and NE region here today. Speakers also warned that if the large dams come into being in the region as per the proposal of the Central Government, without taking into account their impact on the downstream areas, flood would become a permanent phenomenon in Assam.
Taking part in the discussion, prof Monirul Hussain of Gauhati University Political Science Department said the during the post-Independence period, the decisions on the development projects like the dams, were taken at New Delhi with a top to down approach.
There is always a dialoguing vacuum with the Government taking decisions making the people to accept them without a choice like the beggars. Thus the whole process of development lacks the sense of dignity.
He also regretted that fact the waters of the rivers like the Ranganadi and the Dikrong which were earlier potable have now become contaminated. Even the cattle have refused to drink the water of the Dikrong.
The rivers are part of life, culture and religion of the people. Earlier, people used to immerse the last remains (aasthi) of their beloved ones in the water of the Ranganadi, but today the river mostly remains dry.
Commenting on the present-day floods, he said the floods today had huge difference with the floods of the early 1960s. While in the 1960s the flood was a two-or three- day affair, it has become perennial now, he pointed out.
The development paradigm of the Central Government should be so designed that it takes into confidence all stakeholders, he said.
The entire development approach should be linked with human rights, made accountable, participatory and non-discriminatory, must result in development of the communities, pay adequate attention to vulnerable groups and care for environment, said prof Hussain.
Dr Nani Gopal Mahanta, also of the GU Political Science Department, said, What is denied in these areas is the collective rights of the indigenous people as they are too small a group of people in the eyes of the policy makers.
But he said referring to the UN Declaration on the Right to Development, human person is the central subject of development and should be the active participant and beneficiary of the right to development.
Earlier, making his presentation, Bamang Anthony of the Arunachal Citizens Rights said the NE people were confused over the issues connected with the policy of the Central Government towards initiating development in the region.
We dont understand as what type of development we want, for whom the development projects are meant, how they are decided, and prioritized and who will actually be benefited by these projects, he said.
The session was also addressed by Girish Sant of the Prayas Energy Group, Neeraj Vagholikar of the Kalpavriksh, Tseten Lepcha of the Affected Citizens of Teesta, among others.
