ADB – Page 2

तामाकोशी-काठमाडौं प्रसारण लाइन पिडित समुदायद्वारा प्रसारण लाइन र त्यसको सबस्टेशन स्थानान्तरण गर्न माग गर्दै एसियाली विकास बैंकलाई ज्ञापनपत्र बुझाइयो

November 4, 2021

३ नोवेम्बेर २०२१ (वि. सं. २०७८ कार्तिक १७), काठमाडौँ

तामाकोशी–काठमाडौं २००/४०० के.भी. प्रसारण लाइन र त्यसको बोझेनी सवस्टेशनबाट पिडित काठमाडौंको उत्तरपूर्वस्थित शंखारापुर नगरपालिकाका आदिवासी तामांग र अन्य स्थानीयहरुले एसियाली विकास बैंक (एडीबी) को नेपाल आवासीय मिसनलाई आज ज्ञापनपत्र बुझाएका छन्। उनीहरुले एडीबीको सहयोगमा कार्यन्वयन भइरहेको Electricity Transmission Expansion and Supply Improvement Project अन्तर्गतको प्रसारण लाइन र त्यसको सवस्टेसन उनीहरुको बस्ती क्षेत्रबाट स्थानान्तरण गरी अन्तै सार्नको लागि आह्वान गरेका छन्।

२०० भन्दा बढी पिडित स्थानियहरुको हस्ताक्षर सहित एडीबीलाई ईमेल मार्फत बुझाइएको ज्ञापनपत्रमा अप्पर तामाकोसी जलविद्युत् परियोजना पिडित संघर्ष समाजले प्रसारण लाइन र सब स्टेशनको प्रभावबारे पर्याप्त जानकारी नगराएको र जग्गाधनीहरुलाई डर धम्की देखाई जग्गा अधिग्रहण गरिएको भनिएको छ। स्थानीयहरुको विरोधका कारण विगत दुई वर्षदेखि प्रसारण लाइन र सबस्टेसन निर्माणको काम रोकिएको छ। आयोजनाले स्थानीयको सहमतिविना अनधिकृत रुपमा बोझेनी सबस्टेसन निर्माण गर्न खोजेको उनीहरुको आरोप छ। यसबाहेक, उनीहरूको घर, जग्गा र धार्मिक तथा सांस्कृतिक स्थलहरू माथिबाट तानिने प्रसारण लाइनले उनीहरुको सम्पत्तिको अवमूल्यन हुने, कृषि र पर्यटनमा आश्रित उनीहरूको जीविकोपार्जन तथा वातावरणमा ठूलो असर पर्ने र उनीहरूको स्वास्थ्य र जीवनमा असुरक्षासमेत निम्त्याउने ज्ञापनपत्रमा भनिएको छ। फलस्वरूप, पिडित आदिवासी र स्थानीय समुदाय आफ्नो पुर्ख्यौली जग्गा जमिन र बासस्थानबाट विस्थापित गर्ने ज्ञापनपत्रमा उल्लेख छ।

more …

Nepal’s indigenous Majhi communities demand cancellation of Sunkoshi-2 Hydropower Project

October 6, 2021

6 October 2021, Manthali/Kathmandu

Indigenous Majhi communities of Ramechhap and Sindhuli districts in eastern Nepal have demanded cancellation of Sunkoshi-2 Hydropower Project stating that the Project will result in large scale displacement of the Majhi communities and other locals and even wipe out the identity and existence of the Majhi people from their ancestral lands.

On Thursday (30 September), hundreds of Majhis from various villages of Ramechhap and Sindhuli districts clad in their indigenous attire took out a protest rally playing their traditional drums and musical instruments in Manthali – the district headquarter of Ramechhap. They carried boat- and fish-shaped placards and chanted slogans calling for, among others, annulment of the Sunkoshi-2 Hydropower Project, respect for their Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) and creation of an autonomous Majhi protected region. The Majhis led by the Sunkoshi-2 Hydropower Project Joint Struggle Committee also submitted their letter demanding cancellation of the Project to the Chief District Officer of Ramechhap, Dipak Kumar Pahadi, and the Mayor of Manthali Municipality, Ramesh Kumar Basnet. They assured the Majhi representatives that the local authorities were serious about their demand and that it will be conveyed to the concerned national authorities. Following submission of the demand letter, the rally converged into a corner assembly in Manthali town center, whereby the Majhi communities’ representatives and Committee officials relayed their concerns and demand.

more …

Nepal’s govt ignores UN experts’ letters concerning alleged violations of indigenous Newar rights in the construction of the Kathmandu-Terai/Madhesh Fast Track Expressway and of the Chhaya Center business complex

May 30, 2021

On 30 March 2021, UN experts sent a letter to the Government of Nepal regarding alleged violations of the rights of indigenous Newar peoples over their lands, resources and over the loss of religious and cultural sites in the context of the construction of the Terai/Madhesh FastTrack Expressway and the construction of the Chhaya Center business complex in the tourist district of Thamel in Kathmandu.

The Working Group on the issue of human rights and transnational corporations and other business enterprises; and three Special Rapporteurs on adequate housing as a component of the right to an adequate standard of living, on the situation of human rights defenders and on the rights of indigenous peoples of the UN had sent the letter requesting a response from the government. However, the government has disgracefully ignored the letter and not sent any reply even within the period of 60 days as provided in the letter.

The allegation letter is available at the link https://spcommreports.ohchr.org/TMResultsBase/DownLoadPublicCommunicationFile?gId=26282.

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UNESCO, ILO and UN Nepal office called to take actions against displacement of Newars in Khokana and Bungamati due to Fast Track highway and other projects

April 1, 2020

Save Nepa Valley movement and Nepal Sanskritik Punarjagaran Abhiyan have called for urgent attention of UNESCO, ILO and UN country offices in Nepal to the serious threats of displacement of indigenous Newar communities, violations of their land and resource rights, destruction of cultural heritage and other impacts on them in the historical settlements of Khokana and Bungamati due to the ill-planned Kathmandu – Terai/Madhesh Fast Track (Expressway) and other infrastructure construction projects in the area. more “UNESCO, ILO and UN Nepal office called to take actions against displacement of Newars in Khokana and Bungamati due to Fast Track highway and other projects” …

निर्माणाधीन तनहुँ जलविद्युत् परियोजना प्रभावित आदिवासी समुदायबाट एसियाली विकास बैंक र युरोपियन इन्भेष्टमेन्ट बैंकमा उजुरी

February 20, 2020

प्रेस विज्ञप्ति

निर्माणाधीन तनहुँ जलविद्युत् परियोजना प्रभावित आदिवासी समुदायबाट एसियाली विकास बैंक र युरोपियन इन्भेष्टमेन्ट बैंकमा उजुरी

परियोजनाले समुदायको स्वतन्त्र पूर्व सूसुचित सहमती कायम गर्न र जग्गा र जीविकामा हुने हानिको लागि पर्याप्त मुवाब्जा तथा क्षतिपूर्ति दिन असफल भएको गुनासो

तत्काल प्रकाशनको लागि

८ फाल्गुन २०७६

तनहुँ, नेपाल – नेपालमा निर्माणाधीन तनहुँ जलविद्युत् परियोजनाबाट प्रभावित आदिवासी समुदायहरूले परियोजनासँगको समस्या समाधान गर्न स्वतन्त्र मध्यस्थताको लागि अनुरोध गर्दै परियोजनाका दुई लगानीकर्ता एसियाली विकास बैंक र यूरोपियन लगानी बैंकका उजुरी संयत्रहरुमा उजुरी गरेका छन्। “प्रत्यक्ष डुबान पिडित सामूहिक पुर्नअधिकार संरक्षण समिति”मा आबद्ध कम्तिमा ३२ प्रभावित परिवार वा जग्गाधनीहरूले जग्गाको सट्टा जग्गा र घरको सट्टा घर नै मुवाब्जा हुनुपर्ने, परियोजनाको विस्तृत सर्वेको क्रममा छुट्टिएका जग्गाको पुन: सर्वेक्षण गरिनुपर्ने र परियोजनाको प्रक्रियामा स्वतन्त्र पूर्व सूसुचित सहमती कार्यान्वयन गर्नुपर्ने सहितका १० बुँदे माग राखी गत मंगलबार (२८ माघ) मा उजुरी बुझाएका हुन्। more “निर्माणाधीन तनहुँ जलविद्युत् परियोजना प्रभावित आदिवासी समुदायबाट एसियाली विकास बैंक र युरोपियन इन्भेष्टमेन्ट बैंकमा उजुरी” …

Indigenous communities affected by the Tanahu Hydropower Project in Nepal file complaints with the Asian Development Bank and European Investment Bank

February 20, 2020

PRESS RELEASE

Indigenous communities affected by the Tanahu Hydropower Project in Nepal file complaints with the Asian Development Bank and European Investment Bank

Communities allege failure to uphold free, prior and informed consent and inadequate compensation for loss of lands and livelihoods

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 20, 2020

TANAHU, NEPAL — Indigenous communities affected by the Tanahu Hydropower Project in Nepal have filed complaints with independent watchdogs of the Asian Development Bank and the European Investment Bank — two co-financiers of the project — requesting an independent mediation process. At least 32 affected families or landowners organized under the “Directly Inundation Affected Peoples Collective Rights Protection Committee” calling for ‘land for land’ and ‘house for house’ compensation; re-survey of land left out during the ‘Detailed Measurement Survey’ of the project, and free, prior and informed consent in the project process, among their ten demands, submitted the complaints on Tuesday, 11 February. more “Indigenous communities affected by the Tanahu Hydropower Project in Nepal file complaints with the Asian Development Bank and European Investment Bank” …

The Struggle to Save Khokana and Bungmati

February 13, 2020

Translated from the original report by Sapana Maharjan published in the Annapurna Post at the link http://annapurnapost.com/news/147833

12 Feb 2020

Kathmandu: “We don’t need Outer Ring Road in Bunga and Khona. Protect agricultural lands, Stop importing food grains. Protect cultural heritage.” – such were the slogans of Khokana and Bungamati locals, who gheraoed Maitighar Mandala on Tuesday adorned in traditional costumes with a rally. The locals protested that the government was building the Fast Track by displacing the indigenous communities of Khokana and Bungamati.

Agricultural lands of Khokana and Bungamati have been under encroachment of the government to transform the Kathmandu valley into an ultra-modern city. One of the locals, Nepalman Dangol says that eight mega national projects such as Kathmandu-Terai Expressway (Fast Track) and Smart City are going to be constructed by destroying heritage settlements of Khokana and Bungamati. “Fast Track will eliminate not only the agricultural land of the areas but also the cultural heritage, Jatras (traditional fairs) and festivals. more “The Struggle to Save Khokana and Bungmati” …

Tanahu Hydropower affected communities express concerns on formation of local consultation forum and plan further advocacy actions

July 22, 2017

22 July 2017

Tanahu Hydropower Project affected communities have expressed concerns on the formation of local consultation forum as operational-level grievance mechanism for the project for lack of adequate mandate and effective representation of the communities. They have also planned further advocacy actions against the project, including litigations and complaints. more “Tanahu Hydropower affected communities express concerns on formation of local consultation forum and plan further advocacy actions” …

तनँहू जलविद्युत परियोजना प्रभावितद्वारा विरोध प्रदर्शन | Tanahu Hydropower Project affected communities stage protests

February 23, 2017

बुधवार ११ फाल्गुन, तनहुँ

तनँहू जलविद्युत परियोजनाको मुआब्जा तथा क्षतिपूर्ति निर्धारण समितिको विरोधमा परियोजना प्रभावितहरूले “जग्गाको सट्टा जग्गा दे, घरको सट्टा घर दे विभेदकारी मुआब्जा तथा क्षतिपूर्ति निर्देशिका बदर गर, पुर्नवास तथा आदिवासी जनजाति निति लागू गर, ए. डि. बि सुरक्षण निति पालना गर, अर्थपूर्ण परामर्श गर” लगायतको नारा उल्लेखित प्ले कार्ड सहित ३००-३५० जना प्रभावितहरूको बृहत् ¥याली मादी पुलबाट परियोजनाको कार्यालय हुदैँ जिल्ला प्रशासन कार्यलय दमौली अगाडि कोण सभामा परिणत भएको थियो ।

22 February, Tanahu

Tanahu Hydropower Project affected communities today staged a protest rally and assembly against the decision of compensation for the land acquisition and other impacts of the Project made by a governmental committee. The communities demanded land-for-land and house-for-house compensation, annulment of the discriminatory compensation directives in relation to the Project, respect for the Asian Development Bank safeguards and conduct of meaningful consultations for the implementation of the Project. Around 300-350 attended the rally that started from Madi Bridge and passed through the Project office before turning into a corner assembly in front of Tanahu District Administration office.

Asian Development Bank (ADB), European Investment Bank (EIB) and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) are jointly financing the Project with Nepal Government, which Tanahu Hydropower Limited under Nepal Electricity Authority is implementing.

Tanahu Hydropower Project affected communities submit 26-point memorandum to Energy Minister

December 19, 2016

18 December 2016
Kathmandu

Affected communities of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) funded Tanahu Hydropower Project today submitted a 26-point memorandum to Nepal’s Energy Minister Janardan Sharma informing on their concerns with the Project impacts and setting forth their demands.

In the memorandum, the Tanahu Hydropower Directly Affected Area Concerned Committee and Directly Concerned Inundation Area Conservation Committee have welcomed the Project for the sake of the country’s prosperity even though it has great impacts on their traditional lands, livelihoods and socio-economic life. They have alleged that the Project has deprived them of their right to formal information and misled the ADB by reporting up to 12 consultations when there has not been any meaningful consultation and not obtained consent though required by the ADB.

The memorandum calls on the Project, with copies furnished to relevant government authorities as well as the Project financiers –the ADB, European Investment Bank (EIB) and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), to immediately fulfill their demands, which include provide a copy of the Resettlement and Indigenous Peoples Plan of the Project as well as ADB Safeguards Policy applicable to the Project, conduct meaningful consultations with the affected communities and include their representation in compensation fixation committee as well as to provide compensation for traditional lands of the communities to which the affected families do not hold legal title, among other demands.

After listening to the demands, Minister Sharma (not to be quoted) assured that the Project was for the people and our development, so the Nepal’s Government was always ready to help the local communities. He also said that though all the demands would not be fulfilled, their rights would also not be curtailed.

Parliamentarian of Tanahu district from Nepali Congress, the largest party in Nepal, Jhul Bahadur Ale (not to be quoted) was also present in the meeting and positive to the demands of the affected communities.

After meeting the Minister, the affected communities’ representatives went to the Project office in Kathmandu to submit their memorandum. However, since the CEO of Tanahu Hydropower Ltd was out of country, they filed their memorandum with the Deputy Manager, Chanda Ananda Raj Vaidya (not to be quoted). He informed about the works ongoing with the Project and took the demands positively and promised to respond to them shortly.

Earlier in November, the two bodies of the affected communities had submitted their memorandum to the local office of the Project.

You can read the original memorandum in Nepali here and the draft translation in English here (personal identities and pictures kept confidential).