Trouble with Large Dams: a Case Study of Dibang Multipurpose Project, Arunachal Pradesh, India

Controversies over large dam is not a new in India as well as in the world scenario and it does not mean that large dam does not have any positive impact, indeed acts as an important tool in the development by providing various benefits. However trouble with the large dam is very complicated. It is intrinsically linked with many issues. Problem is not only those which are physical or visible, but there are many social issues which are usually neglected. Core reason for the negligence of social issues is the amount of money involved in the large project and it is because of the money and the interest of many big companies, dam construction is becoming a business, consequently all the assessment reports like EIA, including participation of public becomes a formality rather than an important tool for decision making. A controversy spinning around India?s ought to be largest dam, Dibang Multipurpose Project has many innumerable issues, even prime minister of country could not evade himself from the controversy. Most of the statements and comments are based on the views and perception of the affected people, capture during the field survey in the year 2008.