The multi-purpose Sardar Sarovar Dam has been built on the sacred Narmada river in Central India, in the state of Gujarat. It is part of the larger Narmada Valley Development Plan, that aims to produce electricity and provide irrigation and drinking water. The SSD is one of the most controversial dam projects in the world, because of the massive displacement it entails but also because of the fraudulent measures taken to impose it on the local population. A grassroots movement started mobilizing people from the area, and later spread all over the valley; the Narmada Bachao Andolan (Save the Narmada Valley) has led for 30 years now the struggle and non-violent resistance in the valley. |
One of the most controversial dam projects in the world is at the core of a 30 year old resistance in Central India. Despite clear unviability of the project, the Indian government turns its back on its people
Description
Basic Data
| Name | Sardar Sarovar Dam, India |
| Country | India |
| Province | Gujarat, India |
| Site | Navagam |
| Accuracy of Location | HIGH local level |
Source of Conflict
| Type of Conflict (1st level) | Water Management |
| Type of Conflict (2nd level) | Deforestation Dams and water distribution conflicts |
| Specific Commodities | Electricity Water Land |
Project Details and Actors
| Project Details | Height (foundation) 163 m (535 ft) Length1,210 m (3,970 ft) Generation capacity (planned): 1,450MW The project will irrigate more than 18,000 km2 (6,900 sq mi), most of it in drought prone areas of Kutch and Saurashtra. The dams main power plant houses six 200 MW Francis pump-turbines to generate electricity and afford a pumped-storage capability. Additionally, a power plant on the intake for the main canal contains five 50 MW Kaplan turbine-generators. The total Culturable Command Area of the project is 1845655 ha. |
| Type of Population | Rural |
| Company Names or State Enterprises | Narmada Valley Development Authority |
| Relevant government actors | Government of India, Government of Gujarat, Government of Madhya Pradesh, Government of Maharashtra |
| International and Financial Institutions | The World Bank (WB) from United States of America |
| Environmental justice organisations and other supporters | Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA), Friends of the Narmada, www.narmada.org, International Rivers, http://www.internationalrivers.org/resources/protesters-assemble-to-oppose-sardar-sarovar-dam-1968 |
The Conflict and the Mobilization
| Intensity of Conflict (at highest level) | HIGH (widespread, mass mobilization, violence, arrests, etc...) |
| When did the mobilization begin | PREVENTIVE resistance (precautionary phase) |
| Groups Mobilizing | Landless peasants Ethnically/racially discriminated groups Lots of scientists, academics and city-based activists spread all over the country and outside India |
| Forms of Mobilization | Appeals/recourse to economic valuation of the environment Development of a network/collective action Hunger strikes and self immolation Street protest/marches -Jal Satyagraha (sacrifice in the waters) -dharna (sit-in with speeches, public hearings and chants) - A 36 day long solidarity march from from Madhya Pradesh to the Sardar Sarovar dam site. - Medha Patkar undertook a 22 day fast that almost took her life. Refusal of compensation Public campaigns Artistic and creative actions (eg guerilla theatre, murals) Involvement of national and international NGOs Blockades Land occupation Lawsuits, court cases, judicial activism Boycotts of official procedures/non-participation in official processes Media based activism/alternative media Objections to the EIA Creation of alternative reports/knowledge Occupation of buildings/public spaces Development of alternative proposals Official complaint letters and petitions |
Impacts
| Environmental Impacts | Visible: Biodiversity loss (wildlife, agro-diversity), Desertification/Drought, Floods (river, coastal, mudflow), Food insecurity (crop damage), Global warming, Loss of landscape/aesthetic degradation, Soil erosion, Deforestation and loss of vegetation cover, Surface water pollution / Decreasing water (physico-chemical, biological) quality, Groundwater pollution or depletion, Large-scale disturbance of hydro and geological systems, Reduced ecological / hydrological connectivity, Other Environmental impacts Potential: Fires, Noise pollution, Soil contamination |
| Other | land sliding, methan gasses emission, rotting of vegetal coverage in standing waters. |
| Health Impacts | Visible: Accidents, Malnutrition, Mental problems including stress, depression and suicide, Health problems related to alcoholism, prostitution, Deaths, Other environmental related diseases Potential: Violence related health impacts (homicides, rape, etc..) , Occupational disease and accidents, Infectious diseases |
| Socio-economic Impacts | Visible: Increase in Corruption/Co-optation of different actors, Displacement, Increase in violence and crime, Loss of livelihood, Loss of traditional knowledge/practices/cultures, Militarization and increased police presence, Social problems (alcoholism, prostitution, etc..), Specific impacts on women, Violations of human rights, Land dispossession, Loss of landscape/sense of place Potential: Lack of work security, labour absenteeism, firings, unemployment |
| Other | Families and community are scattered and lose their sense of belonging and identity. |
Outcome
| Project Status | In operation |
| Pathways for conflict outcome / response | Compensation Corruption Criminalization of activists Migration/displacement New legislation Repression Strengthening of participation Withdrawal of company/investment |
| Development of Alternatives | -implement small scale power generating projects -diminish power greed in the country -set up a national agenda for energy generation -implement states law |
| Do you consider this as a success? | No |
| Why? Explain briefly. | It was a great achievement to make the World Bank withdraw its backing to the project and review its criteria for project funding. However, the Indian government has taken over the project and rehabilitation measures have not been properly applied. The impacts on the people are already there, and it's hard to find any possible compensation to them. |
Sources and Materials
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Meta Information
| Contributor | CDCA |
| Last update | 16/01/2017 |
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