Nationwide groups express concern over Siang Dam Project, call for dialogue and transparency

By A Representative

Several civil society organisations and individuals from across India have issued a joint statement expressing concern over the proposed 11,500 MW Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP) by the National Hydro-electric Power Corporation (NHPC) in Arunachal Pradesh. The signatories extended support to the Siang Indigenous Farmers’ Forum (SIFF), which is opposing the project, citing its potential impact on local communities and the environment.

The statement, released on May 30, called for the withdrawal of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) deployed in Beging village for conducting a Pre-Feasibility Report (PFR) for the project. It also demanded the removal of a drilling machine from the site and a commitment from the state government that no further activities related to the PFR would proceed without the free, prior, and informed consent of local residents.

The signatories also raised concern over the police action against advocate Ebo Mili, who was detained on May 26 following a complaint by the Siang Deputy Commissioner regarding a violation of Section 144. Mili was reportedly held without informing his family. According to the statement, this is the third such instance of his detention since 2023.

The groups called for a halt to all project-related activities and recommended that the government initiate a dialogue with affected communities. They also urged a comprehensive environmental and social review of the Siang basin, recognition of customary land rights through the Forest Rights Act, and consideration of smaller-scale hydropower alternatives suited to local needs.

According to SIFF, at least 27 villages in the Siang and Upper Siang districts may be affected if the project is implemented. The Siang river, also known as the Yarlung Tsangpo in Tibet, is an important water source for the region and supports the livelihoods and cultural practices of communities such as the Adi, Memba, Khamba, and Idu Mishmi. The project is expected to submerge farmland, forest areas, and locations traditionally used for hunting.

The Siang basin includes extensive forest cover and is home to plant and animal species listed under various schedules of the Wildlife Protection Act. The region also includes designated Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas. A 2013 study conducted as part of the environmental impact assessment process indicated that construction of all 43 planned dams in the basin would reduce the length of free-flowing river within India to less than one-third of its current extent. This could affect fish migration patterns, groundwater recharge, and the habitats of various species. The area is also located in a seismically active zone, and changes to the river’s flow may have implications for land stability and water availability downstream.

The statement also highlighted concerns about potential flood risks associated with large dams, citing past incidents in Kerala, Uttarakhand, and Sikkim. The SUMP has been described by the central and state governments as a strategic response to hydropower development in upstream areas of the Siang river in China. Officials have also projected significant revenue from hydropower for Arunachal Pradesh, estimating Rs 10,000 crore annually. However, several agreements with developers have been terminated in the past due to contractual issues.

The statement called for increased transparency in the planning and execution of hydropower projects in the region, including wider access to environmental and social impact reports. It also questioned the inclusiveness of public consultation processes conducted so far.

Among the 43 organisations endorsing the statement were the National Alliance of People’s Movements (NAPM), National Alliance for Climate and Ecological Justice (NACEJ), Campaign to Defend Nature and People (CDNP), All India Feminist Alliance (ALIFA), South Asia Network on Dams, Rivers and People, and others. In addition, over 50 individuals signed the release, including legal professionals, academics, researchers, and activists from multiple states.

The signatories concluded by recommending that India engage in bilateral discussions with China on water-sharing issues, with the aim of avoiding unilateral river interventions and ensuring long-term water and ecological security.

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