Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA)

Introduction- Narmada Bachao Andolan

Narmada is a major river running through the states of Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra in India. The river valley is the habitat of many tribes and any process of constructing dams in the river directly threatens their existence in the valley. In such circumstances, when the government of India planned to construct 30 large dams, 135 medium dams, and 3,000 small dams without proper rehabilitation and resettlement (R&R) of the nearby people, a movement to save the people residing near the river arose. This was primarily called Narmada Dharangrast Samiti or Committee for the Narmada Dam−affected people, which was renamed Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA) in 1989.

Among the dams, only Sardar Sarovar Dam was out of Madhya Pradesh which was the location of all other dams. The height of some dams was about 138 meters which would submerge 244 villages, affecting 38,000 hectares of land and impacting the lives of 250,000 people. As the dam construction policy lacked a clear mandate about resettlement and rehabilitation of the villagers who would need to be displaced to let the dams hold the large amounts of water, the activists, residents, and environmentalists united to create the NBA.

Medha Patkar and the Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA)

The Narmada Valley Project was prepared in 1946 but it took 32 years for the work to begin. The project aimed to build a number of large, medium, and small dams to generate electricity. However, there was a dispute among the masses. The Narmada Water Disputes Tribunal (NWDT) gave the final orders in 1978 along with the process of R&R after which the dam−building process started.

Image 1: Medha Patkar, Narmada Bachao Andolan, Right Livelihood Award Foundation

Although the government promised quick R&R, the real scenario on the field was poor for which activist Medha Patkar petitioned the Supreme Court of India against the project. The SC stayed the work and vacated it in 1998 on the condition that a proper review of affected areas should be made. Finally, in 2000 the court allowed construction to begin against proper R&R facilities. By 2004, the height stayed at 110.64 meters which was increased to 121.92 meters in 2006.

Patkar’s activism, however, did not end as R&R policies were being violated. According to regulations, people should be resettled six months prior to submergence. The NWDT also supported that areas should not be submerged without paying all the money. Both of these laws were violated while continuing with the project. Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister of India in 2014 and gave the green signal to a full−height project within 14 days. The projects were completed in 2018. However, it has been estimated that 21,000 families were still denied appropriate R &R.

The dam supporters see victory in the completion of the dam−building project, but the activists working against the project also had success at many steps during the entire project. The most notable one was in 1993 when the World Bank withdrew the Narmada Loan and published a report against the project.

Patkar’s role in the entire movement has been notable. She has been able to mobilize the masses and draw the attention of local as well as international media to the dark spots of such extravagant projects that smash the lives of the underprivileged for the sake of good for a select group of people.

NBA is also one of the most renowned movements in Indian environmental and tribal history. Patkar has been able to draw the attention of national media for the oustees and many people think that she is right to ask for full R &R of the underprivileged people who are suffering without any reason. Many of these people have moved to cities and are living in slums without any hope of getting proper R &R. Patkar’s aim is to continue fighting for these poor people who need justice and an upper hand in the whole matter.

Success of Narmada Bachao Andolan

• The Narmada Bachao Andolan was awarded the ‘Right Livelihood Award’ for its nonviolent protest against the oppressors and to bring a palpable change in the livelihoods of the underprivileged in society.

• The Narmada Bachao Andolan incited policymaking with a mass movement to consider the resettlement and rehabilitation issues of the poor tribals who do not have the luxury to get displaced without any harm to their lifestyles.

• Executive, judicial, and legislative impacts of the Narmada Bachao Andolan are notable. It has been able to reshuffle these formats in favor of the poor inhabitants − the laborers, fishermen, and other indigenous tribes.

• The notable achievements of the Narmada Bachao Andolan include:

  • The exit of the World Bank from financing the project in 1993.

  • Stoppage of Sardar Sarovar Dam from 1994 to 1999.

  • Withdrawal of the Foreign Institutional Investors (FII) from Maheshwar dam in 1999−2001.

• The Narmada Bachao Andolan was able to draw the attention of the national media in favor of the movement. However, the project was cleared on the grounds of development and reconstruction for the greater good.

Key Takeaways

• The Narmada Valley Project was prepared in 1946 but it took 32 years for the work to begin. The project aimed to build a number of large, medium, and small dams to generate electricity.

• There was a dispute among the masses. The Narmada Water Disputes Tribunal (NWDT) gave the final orders in 1978 along with the process of R &R after which the dam−building process started.

• Although the government promised quick R&R, the real scenario on the field was poor for which 35−year−old activist Medha Patkar petitioned the Supreme Court of India against the project.

• The SC stayed the work and vacated it in 1998 on the condition that a proper review of affected areas should be made. Finally, in 2000 the court allowed construction to begin against proper R&R facilities. By 2004, the height stayed at 110.64 meters which was increased to 121.92 meters in 2006.

• Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister of India in 2014 and gave the green signal to a full−height project within 14 days. The projects were completed in 2018. However, it has been estimated that 21,000 families were still denied appropriate &R.

Conclusion

The Narmada Bachao Andolan will be remembered for its sheer quality of sticking to the right values for the benefit of underprivileged people by going against all forms of negative powers and taking all necessary steps for the benefit of the poor inhabitants. Although finally, the dam was built, the NBA showed that collective effort can do justice to people to a large extent. That is why Madha Patkar will be remembered for a long time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Qns 1. How many dams were planned to be built on the Narmada River?

Ans. The government of India planned to construct 30 large dams, 135 medium dams, and 3,000 small dams.

Qns 2. Who led the NBA?

Ans. The NBA was led by Medha Patkar.

Qns 3. When was the Sardar Sarovar Dam finally constructed to its full height?

Ans.The Sardar Sarovar Dam was constructed to its full height in 2018.