PRESS
RELEASE
Shambhunath Shukla, senior
journalist and former editor with Amar Ujala Hindi Daily released the book ‘Why
Dams?’ written by Vimal bhai and published by National Alliance of People’s
Movements (NAPM). 
‘Tehri
2015 – The Ten Years of Injustice’ documentary movie made by Vimal bhai, has
been released by Justice Rajinder Sachhar, Adv. Sanjay Parikh, Ms. Medha Patkar
Tehri Dam Realities Exposed by the
Documentary film – “Tehri 2015 – The 10 years of Injustice” directed by
Vimalbhai
“We can never feel the pain experienced
by those who have faced the loss” – Sanjay Parikh
April 10, 2016 | New Delhi: ‘Tehri
2015 – The Ten Years of Injustice’ documentary movie made by Vimal bhai, has
been released by Justice Rajinder Sachhar yesterday at Constitution Club of
India. The movie is a testimony to the human and ecological crisis that emerged
in the Himalayan region after the construction of dams such as Tehri which have
ruined the lives and livelihoods of local communities and caused irreparable
damage to the ecology, environment and cultural values which were there for
centuries. It also speaks of a long history of illegal and forced land
acquisitions, violations of environmental safety norms and unfair
rehabilitation of displaced families that are still seeking justice even after
10 years of its commissioning.
Shambhunath Shukla, senior
journalist and former editor with Amar Ujala Hindi Daily released the book ‘Why
Dams?’ written by Vimal bhai and published by National Alliance of People’s
Movements (NAPM). It documents years of work done in dam affected regions
of Uttarakhand and discusses the environmental degradation, displacement and
loss of livelihoods of the people in Uttarakhand owing to building of large
dams. Complementary to the documentary released, this book reflects on the
worsening state of ecology, environment and people in Uttarakhand.
“Who really benefits from the
dams?” asked Shambhunath Shukla while claiming that rehabilitation of Tehri dam
inhabitants have been done in a very thoughtless manner. The people have been
relocated to an area which only worsened their lives and brought environmental
devastation.
“Till now the problems arising
in the Uttarakhand and Ganga Valley due of a large number of small and big dams
has been overlooked for the unjust greed of electricity, we have to save
ecology and people’s rights over on natural resources of Himalaya” said Vimal
bhai, while criticizing the Namami Ganga initiative which talks only about the
pollution and cleaning the River Ganga but always run away from taking up the
issues of dams on Ganga. We will not leave the fight till rivers and its people
get their rights.
Adv. Sanjay Parikh, fighting
cases for people on Tehri Dam since 1992, was felicitated by people’s
movements. He has been continuing his endless struggle and extending support, which
has benefited people of Uttarakhand and also provided strength to other
people’s movements nationwide.
Justice Rajinder Sachhar ji along
with Ms. Medha Patkar, Puran Singh Rana, senior activist of Matu Jansangthan
and others honored him with the preamble of constitution and a shawl. Justice
Rajinder Sachhar ji appreciated the Sanjay Parikh’s work and fight for human
rights case since 1986 and evaluated his contribution worthy for a people’s
award equivalent to a Bharat Ratna.
Sanjay Parikh, with
his long 24 years’ experience in case of Tehri, shared that the judiciary has
failed to understand the real problems caused by these large dams in which the
govt. and also the judiciary focused on rehabilitation issues cornering the
environmental concerns. Tehri dam was environmentally not feasible and thus
were in planning stage only for many years after which the Govt. went straight
to just build it. Also rehabilitation has not been done which refutes the claim
of benefits to people from Tehri Dam. The lack of social assessment and other
devastation of cultural values because of displacement were missing in the
prior assessment. The association of human and environment has been largely
ignored.
He shared with the people that
the villages were looking horrifying, scary; the people were frightened by
displacement. The project alienated the culture and society along with their
association with the forests. “It was hard to witness the devastation and face
the people as an advocate; we are human beings and cannot overlook the plight
of people and upcoming devastation” said Mr. Parikh. He ended his conversation
with the poem ‘Man Chaahta hai’, written by Vimal bhai.
In the panel discussion on
“Tehri dam and Dams of Ganga Valley”, Medha Patkar, with her long journey fighting
for the justice of people displaced and against the large dams, termed it an
emotional journey. “Tehri Dam is a part of series of planned violence on
people’s lives, livelihoods and environment” said Medha Patkar. These
atrocities are not considered anti-national whereas the people raising voices
for the justice are termed anti national. Govt. is playing a very dangerous
role in diverting the people’s attention and defaming the real struggles to
facilitate the natural resources in the hands of industries and rich people.
The development model has become the slave of industries and corporate, moving
out the people from their own villages and exploiting the natural resources
available for all. Govt., executives and others are rarely questioned inside
the courts. There is also unwillingness to even listen to those people who are
fighting for people’s issues. Thus it is clear that “We should never aspire
for the legal justice but for human Justice”.
“Three things impacting
judgements are principles, pragmatism and prejudice”, said Usha Ramanathan, Legal
Researcher and fellow at Centre for the Study of Developing Societies observing
the travesty of justice in Tehri Dam case. There is a distinction between
impartiality and neutrality. The powerful will also try
to term the masses into subjects for their ulterior motives.
Mr. Soumya Dutta, a noted
environmentalist accused the inequality in planning and delivering the benefits
as a major issues causing people to suffer their lives, livelihoods and
environment. Ganga – Brahmputra river system brings a lot of silt resulting in
a very fertile soil deposition which has supported the agrarian system catering
to food security majority of population of India, but ignoring these facts, the
rivers are getting dammed which is resulting in declining reservoir capacity
too apart from its larger socio-environmental impacts.
The struggle for Dam
free rivers and people’s rights will continue with greater support and
strength.
Shabnam, Shefali,
Sukruta
National Alliance of
People’s Movements | Delhi Solidarity Group
No comments:
Post a Comment