DIMAPUR, March 18 � The Naga Youth Organization-Burma (NYO-B) erstwhile Eastern Naga Youth Organisation (ENYO) today formed a forum called �People�s Forum against Tamanthi Dam-Delhi� at a seminar organized at Nagaland House, New Delhi.
The main objective of the forum is to campaign against the construction of the Tamanthi Dam which is located at Homlin township in Naga area, Myanmar and highlighted the negative impact of the dam
The seminar which is a first of its kind was attended by around 50 participants from various Naga organisations in Delhi including Naga Scholars� Association (NSA), Eastern Nagaland Students� Union, Delhi (ENSUD) among others.
Presenting a detailed analysis on the negative impact brought about by the construction of the dam, Ke Jung estimated that the 80 meter high Tamanthi Dam with a reservoir of 1400 sq kms which is the size of Delhi will permanently displace 45, 000 people.
So far, 2400 has been already relocated at gun point. No compensation has been paid to the displaced villagers. It is estimated that with the completion of the dam, 53 Naga villages, 15 villages inhabited by both Naga and Kuki people and 14 Kuki villages will be permanently displaced. This will eventually displace more than 100, 000 people, he further revealed.
An Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) carried out by NGO BANCA in 2006 had also warned that the dam will flood habitats of several globally endangered species.
The Government of India has projected $US 3 billion for the dam with an expected 80% power generation of about 1200 MW to be harnessed by India while 20% will go Monywa Copper Mine, Sagaing Division, Jung stated.
Mention may be made that the first Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the development of the dam was signed between Burmese regime with India�s National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) I in 2004. A new MoU was signed in 2008 between Burma�s Ministry of Power and NHPC, stating that India�s Department of Hydropower Implementation (DHPI) will form a joint venture with NHPC to develop the Tamanthi dam.
The construction was supposed to commence in 2007, but was kept in abeyance till 2011.
