Inhabitants of Narmada Valley Fighting for Proper Rehabilitation

The Sardar Sarovar Dam on the lower Narmada River is just one of 30 projected large dams of India`s Narmada mega-dam project, an area prone to earthquakes. In May 2003, three Indian federal states had given clearance to increase the height of the dam to 100 meters, which caused the submergence of several villages and devastation of standing crops, after monsoon rains started at the end of July. The clearance was given inspite of a legally binding Supreme Court Order and the Narmada Water Dispute Tribunal Award, which had stipulated the previous resettlement of all project-affected persons. But at least 13 500 families suffering from the present monsoon floods are still waiting to be resettled. So far they haven’t been granted any compensation for the destruction of their property. The inhabitants of Chimalkhedi village in Maharashtra resisted Police Forces, who attacked and forcefully evicted them, arresting 74 plus 40 temporarily. 20 houses of this hamlet were also demolished.

Submerged house in Jalsindhi, 2002; photo: NBA

The Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA) - Movement "Save the Narmada" - has initiated a Satyagraha campaign and relay fast. It denounced that most project affected people are not recognized officially, i.e. are denied rehabilitation. Meanwhile, the governments have given in to some NBA demands to involve Gram Sabhas (village councils) in the rehabilitation process.

With more monsoon rains in the upper reaches yet to come, a second even more devastating flood is in store. If the government won’t have fulfilled all their demands by then, Satyagraha struggle will be intensified.

13/7 - Summing up of recent developments in the struggle of the NBA - English / German part I / part II

NBA press releases / updates July/Aug. 2003:

Recent report of new submergence; Lies, dam lies ... - English

10/8 - Solidarity Team to Narmada Valley harassed by Gujarat Police - English / German
8/8 - Relay fast enters 4^th day - English / German
5/8 - Adivasis on fast - First phase of Satyagraha begins - English / German
3/8 - Dam-affected Adivasis storm Collector’s Office - English / German
1/8 - Dam-affected Adivasis get jail instead of rehabilitation - / English / German
29/7 - Emergency in the Narmada Valley - English/German
29/7 - Adivasis Arrested Forcefully in Chimalkhedi - English / German
27/7 - Earthquake in Narmada Dam Region - English / German
26/7 - Increasing Narmada Dam Waters submerges Maharashtra villages - English / German
21/7 - Visit by eminent persons exposes reality - English