Arunachal: Is Adi Bane Kebang supporting Upper Siang Hydropower Project amid strong opposition against it?

Reported by Marina Dai | Copy edited by Lipika Roy

Amid the strong opposition to the 11,000 MW Upper Siang Hydropower project in Arunachal Pradesh, is the Adi Bane Kebang (ABK), a key apex body of the Adi community in the state supporting the proposed mega-dam?

After the Siang Indigenous Farmers Forum (SIFF) made a statement suggesting that the ABK had approved the proposed mega dam without the knowledge of the public of Siang and upper Siang district, the ABK today clarified its stance regarding this and refuted the allegations.

Addressing a press conference in Itanagar, Vijay Taram, General Secretary of ABK said that the body had previously given its consent to the government to conduct a Preliminary Feasibility Report (PFR) on the proposed dam, however, this does not imply approval for the dam’s construction.

Taram said, “We had given the go-ahead for the PFR to consider the proposed dam’s potential impact on the land and its consequences. However, we never said yes to the construction of the dam.”

Clarification from the ABK indicates that it also opposes the project, joining the rising chorus of state organizations opposing the construction.

While the project is seen as crucial for national security and energy production, local communities and many other organisations such as SIFF and the North East Human Rights Law Network (NEHRLN) has been opposing the project from day one raising serious environmental and social concerns.

BhanuTatak, legal advisor of the SIFF has highlighted the urgent need to reconsider the projects to protect the people who depend on their lands for survival.

Earlier last week, the NEHRLN has criticized MLA of GekuMariyang, Oni Panyang and Pasighat West MLA, Ninong Ering, for supporting the construction of mega hydro-projects on the Siang River in Upper Siang district.