Joerg Boethling, Narmada, from PRIVATE 45 – Development. An Ecological Question
The construction of large dams in the Narmada valley is a big ecological disaster as many forests and fertile agricultural land mainly of the indian tribals (Adivasi) will be submerged and people displaced. The Narmada is one of India’s holiest rivers. 5 big dams and many other dams for irrigation and electricity plants, have already been constructed along the river. The anti dam Movement of Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA) has been fighting for many years with the Adivasi against dam construction along the Narmada River in Madhya Pradesh, Gujerat, and Maharashtra.
They are struggling for relocation and new settlements. Medha Patkar an environmentalist and leader of NBA, has won the alternative Nobel prize for his resistance against the Indian machinery and the World Bank, which has since withdrawn from the project. Another prominent figure in the struggles is Arundhati Roy, writer and booker prize winner.
