Tensions flared at the serene Ukium picnic spot in Assam’s Kamrup district on Monday, June 9. Commonly, as it turned into a battleground of resistance against the proposed Kulsi Dam project. Civil society groups and tribal organizations from Assam and Meghalaya came together to protest the 55-megawatt hydropower-cum-irrigation project on the Kulsi River.
The proposed dam, backed by the Brahmaputra Board and the Central Water Commission, has ignited fears of ecological imbalance, displacement. And nevertheless, irreversible damage to the local biodiversity.
Unified Voices Across State Borders
Several tribal groups, including the Rabha Hasong Autonomous Council, student bodies from Meghalaya, and local NGOs marched through Ukium holding placards and chanting slogans like “Save Kulsi, Save Ukium” and “No Dam on Our Land.” Protesters claimed that the dam would submerge fertile agricultural land, displace forest-dwelling communities, and disrupt the rich aquatic life in the Kulsi River.
Meghalaya’s Garo Hills region, which shares borders with Ukium, will also be directly impacted, prompting strong cross-border participation.
What Is the Kulsi Dam Project?
The Kulsi Multipurpose Project is designed to generate 55 MW of hydropower, with an additional focus on irrigation and flood control. The dam site is proposed near the Ukium River, a tributary of the Brahmaputra. The project aims to benefit multiple districts in Assam by improving agricultural productivity and reducing monsoon-related flood damage.
However, environmentalists and local communities argue that the ecological and social cost far outweigh the projected benefits.
Environmental and Livelihood Concerns
Speaking at the protest, environmental activist Biplab Rabha said, “The river is home to endangered species such as the Gangetic dolphin and several indigenous fish species. Construction of the dam will destroy their natural habitat.”
Locals also raised concerns about deforestation, erosion, and potential damage to groundwater systems. Farmers and fishermen fear that their livelihoods will be at stake if the project moves forward.
The Ukium area is a popular picnic destination, especially during winter. Locals also earn seasonal income from tourism and agriculture. “This dam will kill our land, our economy, and our future,” said one protester from Kamrup district.
Government Response and Project Justification
Officials from the Water Resources Department stated that the Kulsi project had been proposed after feasibility studies and is still in its consultation phase. They assured that no final decision has been made without public participation.
A senior engineer involved in the project said, “We are open to concerns. The aim is to create sustainable solutions for irrigation and power without harming the ecosystem.”
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