Siang Farmers Forum opposes 10,000 MW dam project over Siang in Arunachal, raises issue with UN

Briefing newspersons, SIFF president Tasik Pangkam said, "People of Arunachal may know about what kind of problems we are going to face if 10,000 MW dam is constructed over the

The Siang Indigenous Farmers’ Forum (SIFF) has reiterated it’s stiff opposition to the 10,000 MW dam project on the Siang river in Arunachal Pradesh and has raised the issue at the United Nations’s South Asia Forum on Business and Human Rights held in Kathmandu recently.

Briefing newspersons, SIFF president Tasik Pangkam said, “People of Arunachal may know about what kind of problems we are going to face if 10,000 MW dam is constructed over the Siang river. In this connection I have highlighted this case many times to the Government of Arunachal Pradesh( GoAP), Governmnet of India (GoI) so that they may consider our demands.”

“But, till now they (GoI & GoAP) are moving ahead in constructing this mega dam. So, I went to Kathmandu recently to attend the UN programme where I had submitted the case report or the memorandum before the world community, the United Nations Organization (UNO) so that they may take up this case with the Government of India, Government of Arunachal Pradesh so that this proposed 10,000 MW dam is scrapped”.

Expressing serious concerns over the after-effects of the construction of the dam, the SIFF president said that agricultural land, villages, roads and bridges will be totally submerged (in the downstream, if excessive water is released from the dam or for any other reason).

“Everyone in the Siang valley is totally opposed to this,” Pangkam added.

However, in a shocking allegation the farmers’ leader alleged,”I was threatened by the then DC (timeline not mentioned), using undemocratic words and I was told that I will be arrested. Even the district administration and the Government of Arunachal Pradesh, they are sending police to my residence to say that Pangkam you are doing anti-national activities, you will be arrested as and when any evidence is found.”
However, Tasik Pangkam clearly stated, “I am fighting for the people and to save my land. If You (govt) have to arrest me, than go ahead, I am not going to fear this. I will sacrifice my life for my land.”

The SIFF leader shared his major concerns. “In our Adi land customized individual ownership system over the mountains, rivers, land is prevailing since the time of our forefathers. The land holding system in Adi land is totally different. That has to be accepted.”

The Upper Siang Hydroelectric Project consists of the construction of several hydroelectric power dams in the Upper Siang district. Construction work on the project was commenced by the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) in April 2009.

Upon completion, the dam reservoir will hold 10 billion cubic meters of water. The hydro power project at Siang will alone generate between 10,000 and 12,000 MW, making it the largest hydroelectric dam in the Indian Subcontinent.

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