Staff Reporter
ITANAGAR, Jul 4: Project affected villagers of 800 MW Tawang-II (NHPC) hydroelectric project (HEP) have written to the deputy commissioner of Tawang rejecting the proposal for the project and diversion of forest land.
LT Khom, one of the leaders against the Tawang-II HEP said that the decision was reached following a gram sabha decision on 3 July.
The representation to the DC stated that villagers are unanimously opposed to the diversion of forest land for the 800 MW Tawang-II hydroelectric project.
It further stated that in 2015, signatures of the villagers had been taken for a fraudulent consent under the Forest Rights Act (FRA) for the 800 MW Tawang-II project, which has been done in violation of the legal provisions under the FRA.
It added that the proposed project is coming up along the Tawang Chhu River, which is a spiritually and culturally important site for the Monpas.
The villagers from Dugumba and Poito stated that the proposed project not only violates the socio-cultural associations formed with the forests, but the district administration has also misused their position by taking away rights of ‘free prior informed consent’ under the FRA.
