Arunachal: Adi group opposes mega hydropower project in Siang River

Pasighat: Amidst growing concerns over the proposed 11,000 MW Siang Upper Hydroelectric Project in Arunachal Pradesh, the Adi Bachao, a collective of Adi community members, is vehemently opposing the construction of a mega dam at the Parong portion of the Siang River.

The NHPC Ltd is spearheading the project, which has faced significant opposition from the local Adi community. According to Omuk Aje, the general secretary of Adi Bachao, the community is united in its resistance to any mega dam project in their area.

Aje expressed deep concerns about the potential ecological consequences of the dam, fearing that it could cause widespread devastation in the future.

The construction of the mega dam at Parong would inundate numerous villages and towns in Siang, East Siang, and Upper Siang districts, rendering hundreds of farm families landless, he said.

“Once the mega hydropower dam at Parong is constructed, it will inundate many villages and town of Siang, East Siang and Upper Siang districts and several hundred farm families of the belt will be landless”, Aje said, while adding that the mega dam will adversely affect people living in the downstream areas.

Adi Bachao slammed the NHPC and the Arunachal Pradesh government for failing to inform local residents about the potential impacts of the mega dam, leading to widespread apprehension.

The organization demanded a comprehensive assessment of both upstream and downstream effects, along with a clear mitigation policy to address potential risks before supporting any hydropower dam in the Siang belt.

“We cannot support the construction of any hydropower dam in Siang belt until an assessment of upstream and downstream impact and proper mitigation policy against probable effects is made public,” he affirmed.

Aje appealed to the residents of North Assam districts, which are significantly impacted by hydropower projects in Arunachal Pradesh, to join their movement and raise their voices against the proposed mega dam.

Tabeng Megu, the president of Adi Bachao, emphasized the organization's longstanding opposition to mega hydropower dams in the Siang River.

The community fears that a dam collapse due to natural disasters could have catastrophic consequences for the Adi civilization in the region.

Megu lashed out at the NHPC for conducting surveys and preparing a pre-feasibility report without involving the local people.

The organization stated that it would only support the construction of small dams in the Siang belt if the concerned authorities ensure safety measures and economic development for the affected communities.