Water Conflicts in Northeast India

<p>Northeast India, apart from being the rainiest in India, is drained by two large river systems of the world – the Brahmaputra and the Barak (Meghna) – both trans-national rivers cutting across bordering countries. The region, known for its rich water resources, has been witnessing increasing number of conflicts related to water in the recent years. </p><p>This volume documents the multi-faceted conflicts and contestations around water in Northeast India, analyses their causes and consequences, and includes expert recommendations. It fills a major gap in the subject by examining wide-ranging issues such as cultural and anthropological dimensions of damming rivers in the Northeast and Eastern Himalayas; seismic surveys, oil extractions and water conflicts; discontent over water quality and drinking-water; floods, river bank erosion, embankments; water policy; transboundary water conflicts; and hydropower development. It also discusses the alleged Chinese efforts to divert the Brahmaputra River. </p><p>With its analytical and comprehensive coverage, 18 case studies, and suggested approaches for conflict resolution, this book will be indispensible for scholars and researchers of development studies, governance and public policy, politics and international relations, water resources, environment, geography, climate change, area studies, economics, and sociology. It will also be an important resource for policy-makers, bureaucrats, development practitioners, civil society groups, the judiciary and media.</p> <p><em>List of Figures. List of Maps. List of Tables. Foreword</em> by D. C. Goswami. <em>Acknowledgements.</em> <em>List of Abbreviations.</em> <em>List of Contributors</em> <strong>1. </strong>Understanding Water Conflicts in Northeast India <strong>Fault Lines 2. </strong>Damming of Rivers and Anthropological Research: An Introductory Note <strong>3. </strong>Water Quality in Assam: Challenges, Discontentment and Conflict <strong>4. </strong>Harnessing Energy Potential in Fragile Landscapes: Exploration of Conflicts and Emerging Issues around Hydropower Developments in Sikkim <strong>5. </strong>Hydropower Conflicts in Sikkim: Recognizing the Power of Citizen Initiatives for Socio-environmental Justice <strong>6. </strong>State Water Policy of Assam 2007: Conflict over Commercialising Water <strong>7. </strong>Water Conflicts in Northeast India: The Need for a Multi-track Mechanism <strong>8. </strong>Whose River is it, Anyway?: The Political Economy of Hydropower in the Eastern Himalayas <strong>Case Studies </strong> <strong>9.</strong> Conflicts over Embankments on the Jiadhal River in Dhemaji District, Assam <strong>10. </strong>Riverbank Erosion in Rohmoria: Impact, Conflict and Peoples’ Struggle <strong>11. </strong>The Char Dwellers of Assam: Flowing River, Floating People <strong>12. </strong>Seismic Survey for Oil Exploration in the Brahmaputra River Basin, Assam: Scientific Understanding and People’s Perceptions <strong>13. </strong>Hydrocarbon Extraction in Manipur and Its Impact on Barak Downstream <strong>14. </strong>The Dibang Multipurpose Project: Resistance of the Idu Mishmi <strong>15. </strong>Tipaimukh High Dam on the Barak River: Conflicting Land and People <strong>16. </strong>Hydropower Projects on the Teesta River: Movement against Mega Dams in Sikkim <strong>17. </strong>An Uneven Flow? Navigating Downstream Concerns over China’s Water Policy</p>