Reported by
Published on
October 22, 2016
October 22, 2016
Updated on
October 22, 2016
The state government has planned a number of dams and hydroelectric projects across two rivers Tawang Chhu and the Naymjang Chhu in Tawang district. Monpas, an indigenous tribe, which constitutes 97 per cent of Tawang's population, have been protesting against ecological damage and land acquisition. The community does not oppose the already existing 31 mini and micro hydro projects in the area but argues that mega dams will be a threat to their existence. In May 2016, Jampa Stering of Humanity International told the media, "Onefourth of Monpa land is owned by the defence ministry and other government establishments. Tawang is one of the smallest districts in Arunachal flanked by China on one side and Bhutan on the other. Where will the people go if our lands are taken away to build dams?" It is estimated that majority of the land being acquired is community land used by farmers and pastoralists in the region. In April 2016, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) suspended environmental clearance to the project after it became clear that the construction work was continuing despite the lack of forest clearances. The NGT asked the environment ministry to conduct a study on the project's environmental impact. On May 2, 2016, local community leader Lama Lobsang Gyatso was arrested in the middle of protests against the construction. When protesters opposed the move, the police shot two dead and opened fire on a crowd of 2,000 people demanding his release. One of the main issues with the project is that it impacts the endangered Blacknecked Crane, which the Monpa community worships as the embodiment of the sixth Dalai Lama. The dam is also likely to submerge the 13th century stupa, Gorzam Chorten, which has great cultural and historical significance for the Monpas. The NGT acknowledged the impact, but despite orders, construction work continues on the site. The field study for the project was conducted between July 2017 and February 2018, and every person asked about the project opposed it. In June 2019, the Dehradunbased Wildlife Institute of India released a report recommending rejection of the proposed project.
Refusal to give up land for the project
Demand to retain/protect access to common land/resources
Opposition against environmental degradation
Rural
Both
Forest, Non-Forest (Other than Grazing Land)
Total investment involved (in Crores):
₹
7228.82
Type of investment:
Cost of Project
Year of Estimation
Page Number In Investment Document:
Has the Conflict Ended?
When did it end?
Why did the conflict end?
Categories of Legislations Involved in the Conflict
Forest and Scheduled Area Governance Laws, Environmental Laws, Land Acquisition Laws
Legislations/Policies Involved
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Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Whether claims/objections were made as per procedure in the relevant statute
What was the claim(s)/objection(s) raised by the community? What was the decision of the concerned government department?
Legal Processes and Loopholes Enabling the Conflict:
Violation of environmental laws
Non-implementation/violation of FRA
Controversial land acquisition by the government
Legal Status:
In Court
Status of Case In Court
Disposed
Whether any adjudicatory body was approached
Yes
What was the Decision of the Concerned Government Department?
Name of the adjudicatory body
Name(s) of the Court(s)
Case Number
APPEAL NO. 39 OF 2012
Major Human Rights Violations Related to the Conflict:
Killing
Whether criminal law was used against protestors
Reported Details of the Violation:
Two protesters were killed in police firing. The police allegedly opened fire on a crowd comprising about 2,000 people, who had gathered at the district collector’s office in Tawang to demand the immediate release of local community leader Gyatso.
Date of Violation
May 2, 2016
Location of Violation
District Collector's office in Tawang
Nature of Protest
Objections as part of official procedures
Protests/marches
Government Departments Involved in the Conflict:
Arunachal Pradesh government
PSUs Involved in the Conflict:
Did LCW Approach Government Authorities for Comments?
Name, Designation and Comment of the Government Authorities Approached
Corporate Parties Involved in the Conflict:
Bhilwara Energy Limited
Did LCW Approach Corporate Parties for Comments?
Communities/Local Organisations in the Conflict:
Humanity International Charitable Trust, Lama Lobsang Gyatso
Image Credit:
Image Credit:
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