The Citizens Concern for Dams and Development (CCDD) opposed the construction of 1500 mw capacity Tipaimukh hydro-electric power project in Manipur. Co-convenor of the CCDD Aram Pamei said in a statement that in the conception and implementation process of the Tipaimukh project, failed to conduct an independent and accountable study of Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) of the project, other ecology, human, wildlife, flora, fauna and health, socio-economic, cultural impacts on the indigenous people of Manipur was not conducted.

  The project also failed to take, prior and informed consent of the people and is marked with absence of a concrete resettlement and rehabilitation plan for people to be displaced by the project. There is no environment management plan, risk management plan or cost benefit analysis Mr Pamei said.

  A public hearing held at Mizoram on December 2, 2004, concerning the project had already objected to the dam construction over procedural lapses, including absence of provisions of project report, EIA, EMP and resettlement plan to the people to be affected. The procedural lapse contravened the recommendation of the World Commission Dams (WCD), which called for a respect for rights, valuing equity and sustainability in all decision - making processes in the construction of large dams.

  The CCDD expressed that a thorough and participatory discussion respectful of the rights, wishes and aspiration of the people of Manipur should precede any process or meetings on Tipaimukh dam. CCDD regretted that the right to information was not guaranteed in the decision-making process of the project. NEEPCO authorities had been ignoring people's request to supply them with copies of the environment impact assessment despite the statutory provisions for supply of such reports, the statement said.

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