We, members of the civil society organizations from 12 countries express our deep concern at the growing humanitarian crisis in Narmada valley, in Central India, where thousands of families are evicted without rehabilitation for the Sardar Sarovar (Narmada dam). We are also concerned about the deteriorating health of Medha Patkar, the senior activist, who is into her 7th day of indefinite fast.
The dam, initially financed by the World Bank, has been in the center of controversy for a number of things, including its poor track record of rehabilitation of the affected communities. We learn that flouting all policies and guidelines, nearly 32,000 families are yet to be rehabilitated while the dam construction has been completed and the reservoir is getting filled rapidly.
The Narmada struggle has been an inspiration to a number of organizations world over. Its relentless fight made the World Bank withdraw its financing to the project in the early ’90s, compelled the Bank to institute the Inspection Panel – the first accountability mechanism in any multilateral bank – and continues to inspire struggles world-over with its nonviolent struggle.
We stand in solidarity with the Narmada struggle. We demand the Government of India, and concerned state governments to address the demands of the struggle and avoid a humanitarian crisis.
Signed:
Alliance to Stop Mining, Philippines
Arab Watch Coalition, Egypt
Bank Information Center, USA
Bank Information Centre Europe, The Netherlands
Barbara Bramble, USA
Brent Blackwelder, USA
Centre for Human Rights and Development, Mongolia
Corner House, United Kingdom
David Hunter, American University Washington College of Law, USA
Focus on the Global South, Thailand
Foundation Earth, USA
Gender Action, USA
Gender Action, USA
Inclusive Development International, USA
International Accountability Project, USA
Lumiere Synergie pour le Developpement, Sengal
Rivers without Boundaries International Coalition, Russia
The Oakland Institute, USA
Ulu Foundation, Indonesia
Urgewald, Germany