Documentary films like this are very important for a meaninful discourse on democracy and development in India.
For most of the 20th century electrical power projects have become the vehicle for parasitic development. This has to change. With the technology & planning resources available today it is very much possible to meet the needs of modern energy services with smaller projects (such a micro or mini-hydro), bio-gas plants, fuel-efficient lights, stoves etc. But, those who have benifitted from the parasitic development model of the 20th century continue to act as if there are no alternatives!!
This despotic, parasitic behavior has to be stopped. We urgenty need meaningful democratic discourse on alternative models of development. For this the media has to play a far more responsible role than it has in the 20th century. I hope CNN-IBN will have the courage to produce and broadcast many more documentary films of this kind.
( Posted: Wednesday, May 28, 2008 at 21:12 )
Vasanth Bosco
These kind of developments rising up at such critical and historical times during human's existence on the earth, goes on to show our utter incapability to think responsibly, question actively and be sensitive. You don’t have to exercise you brain too much in order to notice some the simplest of nature’s facts: At one end of the Brahmaputra the huge glaciers in the mountains of Central Asia are melting away quietly ever so rapidly. On the other end, along with the Ganges, it forms the largest Delta in the world. This vast natural feature is also getting smaller, eroded and engulfed due to sea level rise. The vast forests through which the Brahmaputra flows receive considerably large amounts of rain fall. These forests are also being felled down at an ever increasing pace. Just looking at this simplistic natural map, tells us that the very existence of the river is questioned and is being attacked from all directions. Each and every individual ecosystem along with its native human settlements is not directly responsible for the development of these threats. They rely contrarily on the healthy natural state of the river. If the very existence of this river is already in question what sense does it make in further piercing it with many large dams. If the indigenous plants, animals and people rely on the natural health of the dam; they clearly do not stand as beneficiaries. On the other hand they will be losing their very fundamental ties with the river system even further. So why is this development happening? Who is going to stand as beneficiaries? There is a very strong need to salvage what is left of our future as beings advocating technological, economic development as they have been defined until now. Development activities like these are trickling down time, from already exhausted sources, through global hierarchies, gaining in size, scale and impact and penetrating into the last of our precious lifelines.
( Posted: Wednesday, May 07, 2008 at 03:05 )
Soumen
Thanks IBN for bringing this issue to the notice of people across. Yes, this is a well projected issue. But its just one! Lower Subansiri HEP on Elephant corrridor, Kameng HEPs planning to submerge prime wildlife habitat, etc. etc. ... there are many more. I hope people have time to think and ponder - development at what cost? and what are the social and ecological prices for development. However just people and media noticing and talking about such developmental projects wont serve the purpose. Those who matter most - the politicians and policy makers have to lend an ear and take 'informed' decisions on the future of our indegenous communities and wildlife. That, however dosent mean that the issue should be politicised. No, we dont want another Nandigram here! Awareness is no doubt very essential to build opinion. Now that reports such as these are raising awareness on these issues, it is expected that the decision makers will take note and make 'informed' choices or decisions. Their responsibility now is to balance between the needs of development and conservation.
( Posted: Tuesday , May 06, 2008 at 14:24 )
Firoz
This is an excillent and timely story focusing killer desease of NE India called 'Dams'. Such stories needs to be covered very frequently to remind the political leaders and policymakers repeatedly who are always undermining the environment, ecosystems and people of the region while preparing policy in the region.
( Posted: Tuesday , May 06, 2008 at 09:26 )
Jinish
Indeed a well made report.But we need electricity for the growth and development of the country.At the same time conserving the natural habitat is important. Can a middle way be found?
( Posted: Tuesday , May 06, 2008 at 05:11 )
Manu Mathai
Great report IBN Live! The magnitude of the changes being planned deserve such scrutiny. But you have only scraped the surface. Hopefully, future stories will get below the surface some more and pursue the questions about Development and justice, that are being raised.
( Posted: Monday , May 05, 2008 at 22:07 )
Ann-Kathrin Schneider
This film is a very important contribution because it depicts important developments that are unkwown to many. South Asian governments are in the midst of a newfound drive to exploit the region’s water resources to meet rising energy demands. A primary focus of South Asian dam building is in the Himalayas and their foothills, on the Indus, Ganges and the Brahmaputra rivers. India, as the major economic power of the region, is the key driver and financier of dams in the Himalayas, including in neighbouring countries. Multilateral funders and China may also provide financing for some of the proposed projects. In India, large hydropower projects are planned or under construction in the upper watersheds of rivers in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh and other states in the country’s Northeast. The Indian government has identified the Northeast as the country’s future powerhouse.
This new push for hydropower projects in the Himalayas confronts affected communities, civil society, governments and project developers with serious challenges both new and familiar:
Social Impacts • While there are less people affected by dams in the Himalayas than on the Indian peninsula, they are often more vulnerable. Many dams affect small, marginalized indigenous communities who have a high degree of cultural identification and depend on traditional farming and other livelihood activities related to their watersheds. The Lepcha in Sikkim for example are a small indigenous community with a unique culture and language, closely intertwined with the natural environment they inhabit.
• The electricity that will be generated is meant for export to other parts of India and it is questionable whether hydropower development will stimulate the economic and social development of the region. The large numbers of workers from outside the states that will be required to construct the dams are also likely to disrupt the social fabric of indigenous communities.
( Posted: Monday , May 05, 2008 at 20:59 )
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