Water woes: Small dam causing huge uproar

Dam threatens livelihoods, especially tourism, locals demand its redesign to protect environment.

SWAT:

Environmentalists, civil society and social activists and local elders have demanded that the proposed 35MW power project on Daral River be redesigned. The project is being implemented by the Sarhad Hydropower Development Organization (SHYDO) in the hill station of Bahrain in Swat with the funding from the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

Consensus on the demand was reached during a grand community meeting in Bahrain, attended by the local community, members of EPN, SHYDO and ADB consultants.

“They have ignored the socioeconomic and environmental issues of the tourist destination.” EPN Coordinator Zubair Torwali told the Express Tribune.

Daral River is the main source of water for both, drinking and irrigation for some seven villages along with the Bahrain town. The water of Daral River is the lifeline of the whole area, “They are totally dependent on this river for drinking, irrigation for agriculture, running water mills and most of all, to attract tourism.” he said.

“But by constructing a check dam at Pawar Village, some 10 KM upstream of Bahrain on the Daral River, water will be diverted to a pressure tunnel which will cause tremendous harm to the livelihoods, tourism and the environment of Bahrain and nearby villages.”

Former MPA Malik Mohammad Didar told the Express Tribune that, “The feasibility report carried out by SHYDO has major flaws. It was prepared in offices without any local community involvement or regard for the affected people.”

“Building the same project means destroying both, the economy and tourism of the people while rendering great environmental damage. We have had many rounds of talks including EPN, SHYDO and the district administration, but all in vain. Moreover, SHYDO also tried to divide our society and enliven old traditional and tribal feuds.”

In response to the concerns raised by EPN and the local community, a consultant was nominated by ADB to review the project and resettlement plan. He visited the project site along with EPN members, local community and SHYDO officials. After the site visit another grand meeting was held.

“We clearly asked SHYDO and ADB consultant to redesign the project according to the wishes of our community with a valid demand for annual royalty from income to be paid to the Bahrain Union Council,” said Malik Nawazish Ali.

At the end of the meeting, ADB Consultant Ayaz Asif agreed that the current project plan has many flaws and must be developed according to the wishes of the local community, who should also be among the primary beneficiaries. He also directed SHYDO to update and rework the whole plan, keeping local values in mind.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 11^th,  2011.