Karimganj: The North East Dialogue Forum, a joint forum of more than 50 civil society groups, on Tuesday vowed to oppose the government`s decision to
build the Tipaimukh dam in Manipur.
Speaking to reporters here, the forum`s Convener U
Nobokishore said the Centre and the Manipur government were
moving ahead with their plan to construct the controversial
Tipaimukh dam in Manipur but the interest and safety of the
people living downstream should be the uppermost.
Tipaimukh project is a multi-purpose hydro-power plan
on the border of Kolashib district of Mizoram and
Churachandpur district of Manipur, where the Tipai River meets
Barak River.
The Barak river enters Assam from Manipur, before
flowing on to Bangladesh.
"We will not step back from our fight against the
construction of the Tipaimukh dam. If the government responds
we will be happy, if not we will continue our movement,"
Nobokishore said.
He added that if the Tipaimukh dam was constructed,
nearly 26,000 hectares of forest land in Manipur will be
affected and 78 lakh trees would have to be felled.
Besides, the dam would have a severe impact on
livelihood of the local people and would also lead to climate
change.
Nobokishore said the proposed dam would have an
adverse impact on the people of the Barak Valley, as there
would be an obvious alteration of the rivers flow.
PTI
