DAULAT RAHMAN
The Lower Subansiri dam site.
Guwahati, Jan 22 : Dispur has decided to take the big dam issue to classrooms. This comes at a time when construction of the dams to generate electricity is creating controversy, debate and agitation in the region.
An Assam government official told The Telegraph that the Board of Secondary Education, Assam (SEBA) and Assam Higher Secondary Education Council would soon be asked to include the issue of big dams as a subject in school s and colleges to educate the future generation about such projects.
The official said the board and the council would take the final decision on whether the study on big dams should be a separate subject or a chapter under the existing subjects.
He, however, said the proposed study would be extensive, both at the school and college levels, with special reference to the Northeast.
“The government has felt the urgent need to educate students about big dams to create a scientific temperament and avoid unnecessary controversies. Even though there has been serious discussions on the adverse downstream impacts of the lower Subansiri hydroelectric project, the fact remains that the state cannot ignore such projects. It would be capable of generating 2,000 MW of electricity. Thus, we need to have comprehensive knowledge about various aspects and socio-economic impacts of big dams,” he said.
The issue of construction of big dams has given rise to strong protests.
It went to an extent where the Union minister for environment and forests Jairam Ramesh, last year wrote to the Prime Minister’s Office on the issue of mega dams. The letter accepted several facts like the concerns of downstream people.
The winter session of the Assam Assembly witnessed noisy scenes over the issue and a daylong debate was held.
“Students will have to study about big dams in general and its background with reference to various countries in the world. However, there will be a special reference to the significance of big dams in the the Northeast in terms of seismological, topographical, ecological, social and economic features of the region,” the official said.
“Considering the region’s vulnerability to earthquakes, the subject will also focus on whether big dams, if constructed, can withstand earthquakes of high magnitude. Technical aspects of big dam construction will also be covered,” he said.
SEBA secretary L.N. Sarma welcomed the government’s initiative.
He said the board would do the needful once it received formal instructions from the education department.
The board, Sarma added, was mulling the issue in view of the debates and agitation.
“However, the board alone cannot do the job. The big dam is an issue where various departments are involved. The agriculture, irrigation, water resources and power departments will have to help the board in preparing the subject on big dams. The big dam will be a serious environment issue and the future (generations) must be taught the subject scientifically,” Sarma said.
Principal of B. Borooah College Dinesh Baishya said students of environmental science in college definitely needed to have a more comprehensive chapter on big dams.
He, however, also said there was a need to study about big dams in detail with special reference to the region since the issue would continue to create controversy and fan people’s curiosity in the days to come.
via The Telegraph
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