Kulsi Dam Project: After Arunachal, Why Assam And Meghalaya Are Also Protesting Against Big Dams - Brut

The Kulsi Dam project, planned on the Kulsi River that flows through parts of Assam and Meghalaya, is part of a broader push by state governments to increase hydroelectric capacity and improve water management. Proponents argue that the dam will generate renewable energy, support irrigation, and help control flooding during monsoon seasons. However, the proposal has met with organized resistance from local villages, tribal groups, and environmental NGOs who claim that the dam will submerge agricultural land, forested areas, and culturally significant sites.

The current wave of protests draws on the momentum created by earlier demonstrations against a large dam in Arunachal Pradesh, where similar concerns about forced relocation and biodiversity loss were raised. In Assam and Meghalaya, activists have organized rallies, blockades of construction equipment, and petitions to the state and central governments. They point to studies indicating that the river basin supports a range of endemic fish species and provides water for downstream farming communities. The loss of these resources, they argue, would undermine food security and erode traditional ways of life that depend on the river.

Government officials have responded by stating that comprehensive environmental impact assessments are being conducted and that rehabilitation packages will be offered to affected families. Yet critics remain skeptical, noting past instances where promised compensation fell short of actual needs. The debate highlights the tension between development goals and the rights of local populations, a recurring theme in India's infrastructure agenda. As the project moves toward a final approval stage, the outcome of these protests could shape policy decisions on future dam constructions across the region.