Protests Erupt Over Assam’s Proposed Hydroelectric Dam at Kulsi River

Guwahati/Shillong: The Assam Government’s decision to construct a 55-megawatt hydroelectric dam at the source of the Kulsi river in Ukiam, Meghalaya, has sparked widespread protests and environmental concerns across Assam and Meghalaya. The project, seen as a threat to ecological balance and community heritage, has been met with strong opposition from local residents and conservationists.

The Kulsi river, a vital waterway in South Kamrup, originates in the lush hills of Meghalaya. It is formed by the confluence of three streams — Ghagua, Sree, and Dron — near Rajabala village at the Assam-Meghalaya border. These waters, flowing through several villages including Ranikhamar, Langkhar, and Kulsi Gaon, eventually join the Brahmaputra River.

The region holds deep cultural and ecological significance. Oral histories suggest that the Kulsi-Kukurmara channel, now a full-fledged river, was originally a man-made canal created for irrigation. More importantly, the Kulsi river system supports the endangered South Asian river dolphin (Platanista gangetica), with the Kukurmara stretch recognized as a key breeding and migratory habitat.

The dam project raises fears of disrupted water flow, loss of biodiversity, and destruction of traditional water channels that link the Kulsi to Chandubi Lake, a sensitive wetland with historical importance. Environmentalists warn that altering the river's natural dynamics could endanger species, including the river dolphin, and impact hundreds of indigenous livelihoods.

Protesters are calling for a halt to the dam’s construction until comprehensive environmental and cultural impact assessments are conducted. Indigenous leaders and ecologists are urging the government to explore sustainable alternatives that do not compromise the ecological sanctity and cultural heritage of the Kulsi river basin.