Since time immemorial man has tried to bring nature under his control. The urge to control nature emerges from two basic thoughts - (a) that nature is capable of destruction and creation and so it needs containment (b) and that nature being plenty of resources can be exploited for development. Construction of dams throughout the world has its roots in such views of nature. Dams are built to exploit the hydro-power to generate electricity required for the growth of a nation. At present construction of mega dams faces lot of opposition from different quarters of the societies. Debate between the proponents and opponents of dams pivots around the perceptions of environmental, social and economic impacts and benefits of mega dams. Mega dams not only causes severe ecological destruction but also causes serious and long term anthropocentric problems. Some of the common issues are listed below:
Such degradation of human life only forces us to think that the one section of the society enjoys the gains from hydro-power projects while others share the costs and pains of this development. Cultural rights are as important as any other human rights. Cultural rights are an expression and requirement of human dignity. As such their recognition and protection are vital for the sustenance of any community. Here lies the hidden cost which always remains unaccounted for in the planning stage of any hydro-power project development. It is the moral responsibility and constitutional duty of the Government to safeguard its citizens from any injustice meted out by such development projects and take up initiatives to preserve the cultural rights and identity of the people. References: 1. The Hidden Cost of Hydroelectricity Dams: Cultural Survival, 2010 2. Balancing Pains and Gains . A Perspective Paper on Gender and Large Dams, WCD Thematic Review,2000 3. Heritage at Risk 2001-2002: Dams and Cultural Heritage
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