Assam: Proposed Kulsi Dam project at Ukium picnic spot sparks massive protests, voice ecological risk

The popular Ukium picnic spot in Assam's Kamrup district transformed into a hub of protest on Monday, June 9 as several civil society groups and tribal organizations from Assam and Meghalaya united against the proposed 55-megawatt hydropower-cum-irrigation project on the Kulsi River.

The protest comes days after a meeting between Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma at the Koinadhora Guest House in Guwahati, where both leaders reportedly gave a green signal to advance the controversial Kulsi Multipurpose Project.

Prominent groups such as the All Rabha Students Union (ARSU), All Rabha Women Council (ARWC), Garo National Council (GNC), Garo Youth Council (GYC), Garo Students Union (GSU), Garo Women Council (GWC), and Khasi Students Union (KSU) participated in the protest, expressing collective dissent over the dam's potential socio-environmental impacts.

Speaking at the protest site, ARSU General Secretary Subhash Rabha stated, “Ukium is a biodiversity-rich area that must be preserved. The construction of a dam will threaten the habitat of Gangetic dolphins and lead to irreversible ecological damage.” He drew parallels to the Ronganodi River Dam in Arunachal Pradesh, which has adversely affected communities downstream in Assam, warning that similar issues may arise with the Kulsi project.

Echoing the sentiment, Enindra Marak of the Garo National Council said, “Today, tribal communities—Garo, Rabha, Boro, and Khasi—from both states have united to oppose this project. We anticipate widespread displacement and environmental degradation. This protest is only the beginning of our resistance.”

Local residents have also voiced deep concerns. “Over 20,000 villagers across 33 villages are at risk of displacement,” said Jawaharlal R. Marak, a resident of Ukium. “We do not want compensation; we want to continue living peacefully on our land.”

Another local, Asosh Marak of Chaygaon constituency, asserted, “This dam will be constructed over our dead bodies. We had rejected it in 2011, and we continue to do so.”

The proposed dam site lies strategically between Rajabala village in Ri-Bhoi district of Meghalaya and Ukium village in Assam’s Kamrup district, extending close to Kyrsai village in Meghalaya’s West Khasi Hills. The Kulsi River, originating from the Khasi Hills, merges with Assam’s Drone River and Meghalaya’s Sree and Dilma rivers before flowing through the disputed site.

According to the Detailed Project Report (DPR) of 2014, the Kulsi Multipurpose Project involves the construction of a 62-meter-high concrete dam. Its purpose is to harness river potential for irrigation and power generation. However, environmentalists and locals argue the ecological and human costs far outweigh the projected benefits.