Two villages in Longleng district – Kaching and Nian – have openly opposed the development of the 186 MW Dikhu Hydro Electric Project (HEP), one of the largest infrastructure development proposals in Nagaland. The Government of Nagaland is concerned because the Techno Economic Clearance (TEC) from the Central Electricity Authority (CEA), Ministry of Power, Government of India, without which no project can be developed, will expire in March 2025. This adds urgency to the need for resolving the land acquisition hurdles.
Bashing, a villager from Kaching, told Mokokchung Times that the reason for their opposition is the limited land area of their village, which barely suffices for cultivation. “ Our villge area is very small. If the hydro project passes through our village, about 50% of our village area will be submerged under water,” said Bashing, adding that while they recognize the importance of the project, the villagers’ survival is at stake.
He also explained that their land is already “too small”, and with the population increasing year after year, it will inevitably become congested. Kangching village in Longleng District has a population of about 1,300, while Nian village has about 1,800 residents. According to Bashing, Nian village faces similar, if not worse, issues.
“In our village (Bashing), the citizens came together and passed a resolution stating that we will not allow the hydroelectric project in our village, and every citizen is strongly standing by it,” said Bashing.
When asked whether he believes the village would reconsider their decision if the government offers a resettlement plan, he said, “This is what I have been saying. A decision like this cannot be made by one individual alone, so it would be wise for the department to have dialogue with the villagers and listen to each other’s problems by holding a consultative meeting.”
On asking whether the government had visited the villages, he said that there were a few times when some officials from the department came to the village to conduct a survey but were denied entry by the villagers. However, to date, no consultative meeting has taken place between the villagers and the department reportedly.
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The outcome of the “Stakeholders Meet” organized by the Department on July 29, 2024, at 2:30 PM in the conference hall of Hotel Saramati, Dimapur will be crucial. With the TEC deadline looming, it remains to be seen whether the government and the villagers can find a mutually agreeable solution that balances development needs with the preservation of local livelihoods.
