2011: South Asia

Bangladesh, India, Nepal

Bangladesh

River Seminar and Publishing Event
Riverine People planned a seminar on 14th March 2011 in Bangladesh. The state minister of the environment Dr. Hasan Mahmud was an honorary guest. The seminar was lead by Dr. AAMS Arefin Siddique, Vice Chancellor of University of Dhaka. Eminent economist Dr. Qazi Kholikuzzaman Ahmad and water expert Dr. Ainun Nishat were present as special guests. Mr. Mosabber Hossain of ActionAid Bangladesh presented the Keynote paper of the seminar.

Publication Ceremony
The publication ceremony of NADEE, the Annual publication of Riverine People dedicated to riverine issues, was held at the same time as the seminar. Find out more about Riverine People.

Contact:
Sheikh Rokon
Riverine People
Email: skrokon@gmail.com

Press Conference in Bangladesh
Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (BAPA) and Jatyo Nadi Raksha Andolon (JNRA) held an important Press Conference at which a River Monitoring Report on Bangladesh (RMRB) was made public explaining the situations prevailing in the rivers of Bangladesh. It is a fact finding report which includes the extents and depths of the ongoing river degradations, their causes and probable solutions.

Contact:
Dr. Mohd. Abdul Matin
Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon
memory14@agni.com

India

Raising Awareness in Sikkim

River Debate
In Sikkim, India groups organized an open debate regarding rivers and dams issue in the state. People from all walks of life were invited to participate including students.

Film Screening
Also in Sikkim there was a film screening about the struggles against dams and related issues.

DVD Distribution
Groups in the region also distributed DVDs of the films and a booklet with an in depth investigative report about the violations, the corruption, the ecological and environmental damages and social crimes that have taken place in the context of hydro projects in the state. These DVDs were distributed to participants, as well as the general public.

Contact:
Dawa Lepcha
Email: someray2000@yahoo.com

Day of Action Against Tipaimukh Dam
Several organizations in Manipur held a Day of Action For Rivers event on 14 March in Bamgaijang Village in the Tamenglong district of Manipur along the Barak River. This village will be submerged by the Tipaimukh Dam along the upstream portion of the river. The celebration was a unique occasion to mobilize the communities affected by Tipaimukh Dam upstream, to reaffirm their position against the Tipaimukh Dam.

Contact:
Jiten Yumnam, CCDD Manipur
jitnyumnam@yahoo.co.in

Voices Against the Devsari HEP (252 MW)
On March 14 Matu People's Organization held an action in the Pinder Valley, Uttarakhand, India, against the Devsari HEP (252 MW) project. There was a large demonstration under the banner of Bhu- Swami Sangharsh Samiti and Matu Jansangathan in the three villages which served as venues for the site of dramatized ‘public hearings' about the proposed project. An effigy of the Land Acquisition Act was also burned by the people.

Contact:
Vimal Bhai
Matu People's Organization
bhaivimal@gmail.com

Nepal

Indo-Nepal Gandak Treaty Discussion 
In Nepal there was a discussion program on the "Indo-Nepal Gandak Treaty and it's need for review" in the present changed context. The discussion program aimed to make people aware of the treaty and make stakeholders aware of the consequences of Dams, barrages and the unequal treaty over water. Furthermore it will urge both India and Nepal's government to review the unequal Gandak treaty.

Contact:
Nanda Kandangwa
kandangwank@gmail.com

River Festival in Nepal
In the last week of February, Nepal River Conservation celebrated their annual River Festival a campaign to save our Himalayan Rivers.

Contact:
Email: alemegh@yahoo.com