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Manipur State, in Northeast India, home to many Indigenous peoples, has faced an aggressive push for large infrastructure and energy projects during 2020 and 2021. Destructive plans are being enforced without the consent of affected Indigenous and local communities. Jiten Yumnam, Regional South-Asia Coordinator for Land is Life and Secretary of the Center for Research and Advocacy Manipur (CRAM), has advocated for the urgent need to have consent of all affected communities prior to proceeding with proposed projects.
Manipur is one of the states included for a $300 million dollar loan agreement signed in 2015, between the Government of India and the Asian Development Bank (ADB), aiming to improve road connectivity and increase domestic and regional trade. One of the planned projects under the mentioned funding is the Imphal Town Ring Road. The Ring Road construction will acquire more than 1000 acres of agricultural lands as well as sacred hills and adjoining forests of the Meitei people. It will also affect the Ipum wetland that the Meitei utilize for access to water, fishing, and seasonal food collection. One of the most irreparable consequences of the road project is the forced eviction threatening the entire Tharon village. The eviction order labeled the Tharon and Langthabal Chingthak villagers, inhabited by Kabui people, as illegal encroachers in their own village that has been their home for 500 years. The Ring Road will involve the removal of graves and tombs of ancestors, which is a taboo to the Kabui people, as well as the destruction of the only pond that serves as the main water source of the village. Even though the plans have placed more than 500 families in fear of losing their ancestral lands and livelihoods, no consultation has been carried out with the local communities.
The Ring Road is one of many projects currently threatening the Indigenous and local communities of Manipur. Manipur’s hydropower boom is ongoing, and multiple rivers are targeted for electricity production. Leimatak River is one of the most important rivers of Manipur. It is already affected by direct discharge of water from the Loktak Power Station, which has curtailed villagers’ dependence on the river for fishing and sand collection. Furthermore, many villages along the Leimatak River are now highly vulnerable to losing their agricultural lands and forests due to the proposed 66 MW Loktak Downstream Hydroelectric Project and 70 MW Nungleiband dam. The deteriorating consequences of dam construction have already been seen in many lakes, rivers and their surrounding lands. The people living by the Loktak Lake, for instance, have lost their lands, fish species and seasonal plants, which threatens the entire culture, dependent on the lake. Yumnam stresses that the government should desist promoting false climate change solutions such as large dams, due to their destructive nature.
CRAM, led by Yumnam, alongside partners, has organized several consultation events regarding the described projects. The Indigenous peoples of Manipur do not oppose development as such, but the key lies in respecting community rights over their land and resources and rightful involvement in all decision making. To promote the self-determination of Indigenous peoples, Land is Life and CRAM advocate for the implementation of Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC). Community-led FPIC protocols are a powerful mechanism to ensure that development serves the needs, priorities and interests of the local people.
Land is Life stands in solidarity with Indigenous and local communities of Manipur and supports their demands regarding the Imphal Ring Road, the 66 MW Loktak Downstream Hydroelectric and 70 MW Nungleiband dam Projects, with the following recommendations:
- FPIC should be put into practice immediately. The UN Declaration on Indigenous Rights, 2007 should be implemented in Manipur. The projects should be held back as long as they are lacking the consent and recognition of rights of the affected communities. More sustainable alternatives for the projects should be sought with the communities.
- No forceful eviction should occur. Immediate reparation should be given to the community members already affected.
- Comprehensive environmental and social impact assessments should be conducted, as well as rehabilitation plans should be developed, and approved by the communities.
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