Centre for Research and Advocacy-Manipur, Mapithel Dam Affected Villagers Organization and North East Dialogue Forum jointly organized a one day consultation program on Climate change and Indigenous people’s rights in Manipur” at Manipur press club today.
Environment activist, Jiten Yumnam in his key note speech expressed concern over the aggressive pursuance of unsustainable development processes, mega dam, other extractive industries, large scale projects in Manipur, which led to destruction of forest, agriculture land, while deepening climate crisis and impacts on indigenous peoples’ rights. He expressed concern with the false climate change solutions pursued in Manipur.
He further added that the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation is striving to seek carbon credits and profits from its controversial 105 MW Loktak Hydroelectric Project in Manipur from the CDM mechanism of UNFCC, despite the lack of accountability and destroying of more than 80,000 acres of agricultural land.
Chairman of Mapithel Dam Affected Villager’s Organization, Dominic Kashung, secretary of All Loktak Lake Areas Fisherman union Oinam Rajen, President of Centre for Organization Research and Education, Dr.Debabrata Roy Laifungbam, chairman of Committee on Human Rights, Phulindro Konsam attended the consultative meet as resource persons.
A documentary film on Mapithel Dam called “Wall of Injustice” was also screen as a part of the consultative meet.