Boko, June 10: Several organizations from Assam and Meghalaya have come together to protest against the proposed 55-megawatt hydropower-cum-irrigation project on the Kulshi River.
Although, Assam and Meghalaya have agreed in principle to construct a dam on the river, the states have decided to take people’s opinions before initiating the project.
The protest was held at the famous Ukium picnic spot in Kamrup district, about 77 kilometers from Guwahati city. Locals from both Assam and Meghalaya, along with leaders from various organizations, including the All Rabha Students Union (ARSU), All Rabha Women Council (ARWC), Garo National Council (GNC), Garo Youth Council (GYC), Garo Students Union (GSU), Garo Women Council (GWC), and Khasi Students Union (KSU) from Meghalaya, participated in the protest.
ARSU General Secretary Dr. Subhash Rabha said that ARSU and other organizations, including locals, directly oppose the decision to set up a dam on the Kulshi River. “Ukium is rich in biodiversity and will not be allowed to become a hydropower project to conserve it,” he said.
He further stated that the famous Gangetic Dolphins inhabit the Kulshi River, and if the proposed dam is established, the dolphins will disappear. The 62-meter-high dam wall will also pose a threat to the area.
Dr. Rabha compared the Ronganodi River Dam’s impact on the lower side of the dam with the proposed Kulshi dam, saying, “Ronganodi River dam is situated in Arunachal Pradesh, but it impacts Assam and the lower side of the dam. Similarly, that kind of problem will occur in the Kulshi dam too, so we will not allow the establishment of the dam on the Kulshi River.”
Enindra Marak from GNC said, “We have come together today, including Garo, Rabha, Boro, and Khasi tribal people from both Assam and Meghalaya, to oppose the proposed dam on the Kulshi River in Ukium. If this dam is established in the Ukium village area, many villages from both Assam and Meghalaya states will suffer. Moreover, we have not yet figured out the losses in various sectors, but we are sure that it will have an impact on the environment of a large area. We will never allow the construction of a dam in this area; however, to stop this project, we will do whatever we can.”
Jawaharlal R Marak, a resident of Ukium Village, said, “We are all against the project, which is bound to spell disaster for us. Most of the 33 villages are likely to be underwater, and farm lands and homes will be destroyed.” He added that over 20,000 villagers will be affected by the project, with most of the villages located in Assam. “We do not want any compensation, as we have learned that there are provisions under national projects. What we want is peaceful coexistence in our own land,” Marak said.
Asosh Marak, a resident of Ukiam village, said, “The dam would be built over our dead body. We had opposed the idea in 2011 when it was first envisaged, and we will continue to do so.”
The Kulshi River originates from the northern slopes of the Khasi Hills in Meghalaya and flows for about 100 km in the hills of Meghalaya before entering the plains of Assam at Ukiam village, the proposed dam site. The dam will create a reservoir with a storage capacity of 525.64 MCM at MWL/FRL and will have a generating capacity of 55 MW.
According to the project details, the submergence area due to the construction of the dam is 21.31 sq. km, affecting six villages. The dam will submerge an area of about 3.44 sq. km of dense forest, 12.90 sq. km of degraded forest, 0.73 sq. km of residential/agricultural plantation area, and 2.72 sq. km of agricultural land.
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