A peaceful protest in Arunachal Pradesh’s Upper Siang district highlights local opposition to the proposed 12,500 MW hydropower project, with indigenous communities fearing displacement and environmental degradation.
Itanagar:In a significant demonstration of local dissent, hundreds gathered in Geku village of Arunachal Pradesh’s Upper Siang district on Saturday to voice their opposition to a proposed 12,500 MW hydropower project. Organized by the Siang Indigenous Farmers Forum (SIFF), the protest aimed to challenge the ongoing preliminary studies for the Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP), which is being undertaken by the National Hydro Electric Power Corporation (NHPC).
Approximately 600 villagers came together early in the morning, raising their voices against the NHPC and Chief Minister Pema Khandu. The event was peaceful, as confirmed by Geku’s Extra Assistant Commissioner A Ratan, who noted that the gathering concluded without any incidents by 1 PM.
The NHPC has identified three potential sites in the Upper Siang and Siang districts for the dam’s construction: one between Parong and Deging villages, another near Ugeng close to Riga village, and the third situated between Ditte-Dime and Geku. The corporation has been actively conducting surveys at these locations to develop a feasibility report for the ambitious project.
SIFF General Secretary Donggo Libang articulated the community’s concerns, stating that the proposed dam poses a significant threat to their land, environment, and traditional ways of life. He warned that if the dam proceeds, vast areas of wet rice cultivation fields and numerous villages could be submerged, ultimately depriving the indigenous population of their rights and livelihoods.
The protest comes in the wake of a notice issued last month by the Upper Siang district administration to several government employees and village leaders, or ‘gaon burahs’, who participated in previous demonstrations. This move has further fueled local anger against the hydropower initiative.
Previous anti-dam rallies, such as one organized in Dite Dime in Siang district on August 31, have highlighted the widespread opposition among locals. Many community members argue that the hydropower project will lead to the displacement of indigenous peoples and cause irreversible damage to the surrounding environment.
Despite the government promoting the project as a crucial step toward improving infrastructure and stimulating economic growth in the region, many locals remain skeptical. They fear that the project will prioritize development over the well-being of indigenous communities and the preservation of their land.
The ongoing protests underscore a growing awareness and resistance among local populations against large-scale development projects that threaten their cultural and environmental heritage. As tensions rise, it remains to be seen how the government and the NHPC will respond to these concerns and whether they will seek to address the apprehensions of the indigenous communities.
The situation in Arunachal Pradesh serves as a potent reminder of the delicate balance between development and the rights of local populations, highlighting the need for dialogue and respect for indigenous voices in planning and executing large-scale infrastructure projects.
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