- About the Sardar Sarovar Dam
- What is Narmada Bachao Andolan?
- Formation of Narmada Bachao Andolan
- People Involved in Narmada Bachao Andolan
- Key Features of Narmada Bachao Andolan
- Protest Activities under Narmada Bachao Andolan
- Success & Achievements of Narmada Bachao Andolan
- Challenges Towards Narmada Bachao Andolan
- FAQs
About the Sardar Sarovar Dam
The Sardar Sarovar Dam is one of the largest and most important dams in India, located on the Narmada River in the state of Gujarat. It is part of the Narmada Valley Project, which aims to provide water for irrigation, drinking, and industrial use to several regions in the surrounding states of Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra.
Here are key details about the Sardar Sarovar Dam:
1. Construction and Design
The construction of the Sardar Sarovar Dam started in 1987 and was finally inaugurated in 2017, after going through several phases of development and resistance due to several legal and environmental challenges.
2. Objective
Irrigation: The dam irrigates millions of hectares of land in Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra, thereby benefiting farmers by giving them water at all times.
Drinking Water: The water impounded by the dam has supplied drinking water for millions of people, not only in the metropolitan cities of Ahmedabad but also in the peripheral regions of Gujarat.
3. Economic and Environmental Impact
The project will help maintain economic development through agriculture and industries by providing adequate water supply.
It has also been at the center of controversy over local community displacement, environmental issues, and water-sharing debates among the three states.
4. Resettlement and Rehabilitation
The construction of the Sardar Sarovar Dam requires the submergence of thousands of families who are already living in the area. Rehabilitation is tried as much as possible, but this is a very contentious issue.
Many of the tribes and farming communities were displaced and relocated to new areas.
What is Narmada Bachao Andolan?
The Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA), a social movement in India, was formed in the late 1980s to protest the construction of large dams, specifically Sardar Sarovar Dam, on the Narmada River. The cause of this movement is to safeguard the rights of indigenous people, farmers, and tribal communities who will be displaced with the constructed dams.
Some key points about the Narmada Bachao Andolan:
The Formation: The movement was started by Medha Patkar along with other activists and local communities in Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra in 1989.
Aims:
To halt or slowdown the constructions of big dams such as the Sardar Sarovar Dam.
Fight for the rights of the displaced people, especially the tribal and rural people who earn their livelihood by means of living and working on the river.
To put a focus on environmental implications such as loss of forests, wildlife, and farmland.
Key Issues:
Displacement: Thousands of families will be displaced by the dam, many of whom did not receive adequate compensation or rehabilitation.
Environmental concerns: The movement also raised concerns over ecological implications for the dams, such as the alterations in water flow, forest destruction, and biodiversity losses.
Human rights: The NBA highlighted how the project would not only displace the local people but would also deny them their rights to be in their homeland.
Protests and Campaigns: The movement included mass protests, hunger strikes, marches, and sit-ins, all meant to bring national and international attention to such large-scale displacement from development projects.
Formation of Narmada Bachao Andolan
The Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA) was formed in 1989 as a social and environmental movement to oppose the construction of large dams on the Narmada River, particularly the Sardar Sarovar Dam.
Here’s how the Narmada Bachao Andolan was formed:
1. Background
The Narmada Valley Project was a large-scale irrigation and power generation initiative that involved constructing multiple dams along the Narmada River, including the Sardar Sarovar Dam.
2. Grievances
Key issues were the displacement of villages and tribal communities. Most of these dependent communities totally relied on Narmada River for livelihoods and did not have adequate rehabilitation plans or compensation.
Other environmental concerns included the destruction of forests, wildlife, and alteration of river ecosystems.
3. Foundation of the Movement
In 1989, Medha Patkar, activist and social worker, along with other local leaders and tribal groups, founded the Narmada Bachao Andolan, meaning “Save the Narmada Movement.” The name of the movement reflects its focus on preserving the river and protecting the people dependent on it.
4. Initial Protests
The movement began with local protests and demonstrations against the Sardar Sarovar Dam and other related projects. The protests were mainly over tribal rights, land ownership, and issues of rehabilitation.
5. National and International Awareness
The movement gained national and international support as it brought forth the environmental and social issues surrounding the dam projects.
People Involved in Narmada Bachao Andolan
The Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA), initiated in 1989, was a big social and environmental movement. Many individuals and groups contributed to its formation, leadership, and activities. Here are key individuals and groups involved with the Narmada Bachao Andolan:
1. Medha Patkar
Role: Co-founder and prominent leader of the NBA.
Background: A social activist and environmentalist, Medha Patkar emerged as the face of the movement. She spearheaded numerous protests, hunger strikes, and advocacy campaigns to highlight the concerns of the displaced communities. Her relentless efforts brought national and international attention to the concerns of the tribal people and farmers whose livelihoods had been affected by the various dam projects.
2. Alok Agarwal
Role: Convenor and key leader within NBA.
Background: An environmental activist, Alok Agarwal was a key organizer of agitations and legal fights on the side of the vanquished. He participated in publicizing issues related to rehabilitation programs in an unbiased manner.
3. Shankar Guha Niyogi
Role: He was an early follower of the movement.
Background: A prominent labor leader and social activist, Shankar Guha Niyogi was one of the earliest voices for the NBA cause. He strongly believed in the rights of marginalized communities and their suffering at the hands of economic and social injustice that large dam projects brought about.
4. Baba Amte
Role: Supporter and icon of the movement.
Background: A staunch social activist and Gandhian, Baba Amte had earned his name working with leprosy patients and championing social causes. He was in support of the Narmada Bachao Andolan and gave his moral authority to the movement by joining protests and advocating rehabilitation for displaced communities.
Key Features of Narmada Bachao Andolan
The Narmada Bachao Andolan, or Narmada Bachao Andolan, is the greatest social and environmental movement ever to come across that has questioned the displacement of communities, environmental degradation, and the social impact of the large dam projects on the Narmada River. Here are the salient features of the Narmada Bachao Andolan:
1. Opposition to Large Dams
The NBA problem in general was that of large dams especially the Sardar Sarovar Dam on the Narmada River.
These dams opposed these due to their social, environmental, and economic impacts in local communities.
2. Focus on Displacement
Out of all the issues the primary concern of NBA was the displacement of the local communities, mainly the tribal and the farmers living along the Narmada River.
The movement demanded proper rehabilitation and compensation for those who would lose their land, homes, and livelihoods due to the dams.
3. Environmental Concerns
The NBA expressed very serious concern about the environmental degradation due to large dams, including loss of forests, wildlife habitats destruction, and modification of river ecosystems.
The movement insisted on sustainable human development with consideration for the well-being of people along with environmental protection.
4. Tribunal and Legal Wars
The NBA filed several legal petitions and pursued the cause through public interest litigation over the statutory validity of the dam projects.
This movement sought judicial intervention to ensure that the rights of the displaced persons were protected, and environmental assessments were conducted before such dams were constructed.
Protest Activities under Narmada Bachao Andolan
| Protest Activity | Description | Key Figures Involved | Date/Period | Outcome/Impact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hunger Strikes | Non-violent form of protest where Medha Patkar and others went on hunger strikes to demand proper rehabilitation for displaced people. | Medha Patkar, local activists | 1989 onwards | Gained significant media attention and public support, brought the issue to national prominence. |
| Sit-ins and Dharna | Protesters gathered at various locations to block construction activities and raise awareness about displacement and environmental impacts. | Medha Patkar, Alok Agarwal | Throughout the movement | Created disruption, putting pressure on authorities and highlighting the community’s opposition to the project. |
| Protests at Damsites | Demonstrations held at dam construction sites, including the Sardar Sarovar Dam, to stop work and demand a halt to construction. | Local community members, NBA leaders | Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s | Led to clashes with police, but drew national and international attention to the displacement issue. |
| Rallies and Marches | Large-scale rallies and marches, often involving hundreds of people, aimed at mobilizing support and raising public awareness about the dam’s negative effects. | Medha Patkar, Alok Agarwal | 1990s onwards | Played a critical role in engaging public sentiment and spreading the message across India. |
| Protests at Government Offices | Protesters organized demonstrations in front of government offices and at state capitals demanding justice for displaced communities and halting dam construction. | NBA activists, local leaders | Early 1990s | Focused government attention on the need for fair rehabilitation policies. |
| National and International Protests | NBA supporters and organizations rallied across India and globally to garner international solidarity and raise awareness about the Narmada issue. | NBA activists, international supporters | Throughout the movement | Garnered international support from organizations like Greenpeace, Amnesty International, etc., pressuring India on human rights and |
Success & Achievements of Narmada Bachao Andolan
| Success/Achievement | Description | Impact | Year/Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| International Awareness & Solidarity | NBA gained international recognition and support from various environmental organizations and human rights groups. | Raised global awareness about the adverse impacts of the Narmada dams. | 1990s onwards |
| Legal Interventions & Court Rulings | NBA filed public interest litigations (PIL) in Indian courts, leading to several legal rulings concerning rehabilitation. | Supreme Court and High Court ordered rehabilitation plans for displaced communities. | 1990s onwards |
| Rehabilitation for Displaced People | NBA’s consistent advocacy resulted in more focused attention on the rehabilitation of displaced families. | Supreme Court ruled that adequate rehabilitation measures must be followed before the dam’s construction. | 2000s |
| Environmental Impact Assessments | NBA pushed for more rigorous environmental impact assessments (EIAs) before the construction of large dams. | Resulted in public debate and changes in environmental regulations for large-scale projects. | 1990s and 2000s |
| Stoppage of Dam Construction (Temporary) | In certain periods, the construction of the Sardar Sarovar Dam was halted due to NBA protests and legal challenges. | The halts created delays in the dam’s completion, ensuring further discussions on displacement and rehabilitation. | 1990s-2000s |
| Increased Public and Government Focus on Displacement | NBA’s grassroots activism, protests, and legal actions forced the Indian government to focus on displacement issues. | Brought displacement and rehabilitation concerns to the national agenda, leading to more discussions on social justice. | 1990s onwards |
| Influence on India’s Dam Policy | NBA played a pivotal role in influencing policy reforms regarding the construction of large dams in India. | Led to reconsideration of the Environmental Protection Act and dam construction norms. | Late 1990s-2000s |
| Empowerment of Local Communities | NBA encouraged tribal communities, farmers, and villagers to stand up for their rights and resist forced displacement. | Empowered marginalized communities to take legal and social action in defense of their land and livelihoods. | 1990s onwards |
| Increased Dialogue on Sustainable Development | NBA raised awareness on the need for sustainable development alternatives, such as small-scale irrigation and rainwater harvesting. | Contributed to the development of alternative development models that do not rely on large-scale infrastructure projects. | 1990s-2000s |
| Recognition of Tribal Rights | NBA highlighted the importance of tribal rights over land and resources, ensuring that they were considered in policy decisions. | Led to the recognition of tribal rights in the broader context of India’s development agenda. | 1990s and onwards |
| Global Attention to Human Rights Issues | NBA succeeded in garnering global support, especially from international organizations like Amnesty International and Greenpeace. | Created pressure on multilateral funding agencies such as the World Bank to reconsider support for the Sardar Sarovar project. | 1990s-2000s |
| Reduced Size of the Dam | Due to persistent opposition, the height of the Sardar Sarovar Dam was reduced from the initially proposed 138 meters to 121.92 meters. | Reduced displacement and environmental impact, reflecting some level of success in NBA’s demands. | 2006 |
Challenges Towards Narmada Bachao Andolan
| Challenge | Description | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Government Resistance | The Indian and state governments supported the Sardar Sarovar Dam and resisted NBA’s demands. | Limited policy changes, strong governmental push for continuing the dam project despite protests. |
| Law Enforcement and Police Action | Activists, including Medha Patkar, faced police repression, arrests, and violent responses. | Suppression of peaceful protests, discouraging wider public participation. |
| Construction of the Dam | Despite protests, the dam’s construction continued, supported by both Indian and international funding. | Ongoing displacement of local communities, including tribal people, leading to increased tension. |
| Limited Media Support | Indian media often downplayed the movement or focused on the benefits of the dam, limiting NBA’s exposure. | Difficulty in raising public awareness and gathering widespread support for the movement. |
| Lack of Alternative Development Models | NBA was criticized for not offering clear alternative models for development. | Limited ability to oppose large infrastructure projects without providing a solution to replace them. |
| Internal Divisions | The movement faced internal conflicts and differing strategies among various factions within NBA. | Fragmented approach weakened the overall impact of the movement and delayed decisions. |
| Limited Financial Resources | NBA had fewer financial resources compared to the large-scale funding for the dam project. | Restricted capacity to organize large-scale protests, conduct outreach, or mobilize resources effectively. |
| Legal and Bureaucratic Hurdles | Public Interest Litigations (PILs) and legal challenges were often delayed, while the dam continued. | Slow-moving judicial process and legal barriers hindered immediate policy changes or construction halts. |
| Divided Public Opinion | Public opinion was divided, with some supporting the dam for its benefits and others opposing its impacts. | Polarized support made it challenging to unify the public or gain consistent political backing. |
| International Support vs. National Interests | NBA received international support, but the national government emphasized the importance of the dam. | Global support created tension with the government, which prioritized national interests and development. |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What is Narmada Bachao Andolan?
It is a social movement aimed at protesting the construction of the Sardar Sarovar Dam. - Who led the Narmada Bachao Andolan?
The movement was primarily led by activist Medha Patkar. - What was the primary goal of NBA?
The main goal was to stop the displacement of local communities due to the dam construction. - When did the Narmada Bachao Andolan begin?
The movement began in the late 1980s. - Which communities were affected by the dam project?
The primary affected communities were tribals and farmers.
