NEW DELHI, Aug 10 � In a bid to break the logjam over the mega dam projects, Union Minister of State for Environment and Forest (MoEF), Jairam Ramesh is likely to visit Assam and Arunachal Pradesh next month.
Talking to newsmen, after yet another delegation representing at least six organisations petitioned him against construction of mega dams including the Lower Subansiri Hydroelectric Project, Ramesh said he is planning to visit Guwahati on September 10 and Pasighat the next day on a fact-finding tour. He is planning to directly interact with the local people, experts, and stakeholders, representatives of the State Governments, besides pro and anti-dam lobbyists.
He would consult all concerned before taking a decision. However, he quickly added that he was aware of the developments in the region and his Ministry alert to the concerns raised over the issue.
He also reiterated the statement he made in Parliament yesterday, asserting that his Ministry would not allow any project, which would have an adverse ecological impact.
�Under no circumstances, we will allow any project which will have an adverse ecological impact. That much I want to assure,� he had stated.
Yesterday, the issue had figured in the Rajya Sabha during a Question Hour discussion, while a delegation of All Assam Students Union (AASU) and All Mising Students Union met the Union Environment and Forest Minister pressing for halt to all dam related work.
On Tuesday, accompanied by delegation representing All Arunachal Pradesh Students Union, Edu Mimi Students, Dibang Peoples Forum, Siang Peoples Forum and Downstream Impact Forum, retired Professor of Geology of Dibrugarh University, Dr Sushil Goswami, Environment Historian of IIT Guwahati, Dr Arupjyoti Saikia and anti-dam activist, Neeraj Vagholikar, Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti leader Akhil Gogoi called on Ramesh at his office on Tuesday morning.
The delegation expressed its opposition to construction of the mega dams in neighbouring Arunachal Pradesh. �Under no circumstances we will allow construction of dams in upper reaches,� said Akhil Gogoi talking to newsmen.
In a memorandum submitted to the Minister, the delegation demanded a complete moratorium on all clearances including pre-construction clearances by the MoEF to large dams and hydropower projects in North-East.
Immediate withdrawal of clearances granted to the 2000 MW Lower Subansiri project, 1750 MW Demwe Lower and 1500 MW Tipaimukh. All the three were granted environmental clearance without downstream impact assessment and public consent.
Besides, a complete review of pre-construction clearances granted to projects in the region and a comprehensive public consultation process involving the Brahmaputra and Barak River systems on the issue of large dams.
It was also pointed out those scientific and technical recommendations of the Lower Subansiri expert committee clearly suggested the need for scrapping of mega dams in the North-East.
However, what might land the MoEF in a tight spot as it has reportedly made a commitment to the Prime Minister that it would fast track environment and forest clearance for the Siang River Basin projects.
The terms of reference for the 2,700MW project handed over to JP group in lower Siang has been framed. The developer has been already asked to prepare an environment impact assessment report.
With a potential for 20,000 MW Siang Basin is where the action is. So far only three specific projects with a total capacity of 11,000 MW have been identified and each of these is at a preliminary stage.
The environment ministry is understood to have made a written offer to the power ministry that it would clear these projects in an expeditious manner given their strategic importance.
In a rush to establish its claim over the Brahmaputra River, New Delhi has decided to fast track all projects in the upper reaches near the Indo-China international border.
