GSU opposes dam project fearing damage to environment

TURA, Sep 5: The Siju regional unit of the GSU in South Garo Hills has opposed the proposed construction of a dam under the Baghmara Greater Water Supply Scheme on grounds that it would have adverse environmental effect in Siju-Rongdong areas as well as affect the people in the future.
In its complaint submitted to the Public Health Engineering (PHE) in Baghmara, the union said that while the project would solve the water supply for the people of Baghmara town, the building of the dam at the proposed site would badly impact the fish sanctuary located a few distance upstream.
The union added that two waterfalls located downstream- Atchandap and Rongdong waterfalls, on which the local people depend for their water supply needs during the dry season, would also be badly affected as the flow of water would not be the same if the project goes ahead at the site. The union expressed fear that there was also a possibility of the waterfalls completely drying up in the future if the project is allowed.
The union while stating that it was not totally rejecting the dam project but only the site of the proposed project, urged that the project be moved to a location where it will do less environmental damage.
“We are strongly opposed to the site of the project and not the dam construction. Relocation of the site is a must at any cost,” general secretary of the union Webing Sangma said, and suggested that the project is moved downstream about 200-300 metres of the Rongdong Waterfall.