Adi Bane Kebang United Urges Governor to Scrap Proposed Siang Mega Dam Project
In a memorandum submitted to the Governor, the Adi Bane Kebang United raised concerns over the proposed SUMPS and questioned the process of obtaining MoUs and conducting PFR activities.
ITANAGAR- The Adi Bané Kébang United (ABKU) has urged the Arunachal Pradesh Governor to scrap the proposed Siang Upper Multipurpose Storage Project (SUMPS) and immediately halt Pre-Feasibility Report (PFR) activities, citing concerns over displacement, land and cultural impacts, transparency in MoUs, and the proposed reservoir’s potential impact on settlements and agricultural areas.
The Adi Bane Kebang United (ABKU), described in its memorandum as the traditional apex and supreme council of the Adis, has urged the Governor of Arunachal Pradesh to scrap the proposed Siang Upper Multipurpose Storage Project (SUMPS) and immediately halt activities related to its Pre-Feasibility Report (PFR).
The memorandum, dated September 21, 2026, was submitted to the Governor at Lok Bhawan, Itanagar. It follows a consultative committee meeting organised by ABKU at Geku in Upper Siang district on September 16, which, according to the organisation, was held to assess the situation in Upper Siang and Siang districts and ascertain the views of people who could be affected by the proposed project.
According to the memorandum, the consultation was attended by people from areas associated with the proposed mega dam as well as Adi-inhabited districts including Shi-Yomi, East Siang, Namsai, Lower Dibang Valley and the Itanagar Capital Region.
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Concerns over consent and MoUs
ABKU stated that it had concerns about the manner in which MoUs related to the proposed project had been obtained. The organisation alleged that some MoUs were signed without what it considers to be a proper village-level customary process.
The memorandum refers specifically to the Adi customary system, stating that matters relating to land and water, other than individual transactions, are ordinarily taken up at the village Dere/Musup through the holding Kebang.
The organisation alleged that such village-level Kebang meetings were not held in connection with some of the MoUs and claimed that certain agreements were instead signed at government offices.
It also raised concerns over the selection of beneficiaries under a Special Development Package, alleging that selection was limited to people who signed MoUs for PFR and included serving and retired government officials. These are claims made by ABKU in its memorandum and are not independently established by the document itself.
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Concerns over submergence and displacement
A major concern raised by ABKU relates to the potential impact of the proposed storage project on land and settlements in the Siang basin.
The organisation stated that agricultural and allied-activity lands are located along both sides of the Siang River and its tributaries. It argued that implementation of the proposed SUMPS could result in the upstream areas of the Siang being submerged.
The memorandum further claims that Yingkiong, the headquarters of Upper Siang district, and Geku could be submerged under the proposed dam reservoirs, along with several villages and historical places.
These statements represent the position and concerns of ABKU regarding the proposed project.
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Environmental and downstream concerns
ABKU also raised concerns over the possible impact of the reservoir on the migration routes of the Adi of Arunachal Pradesh and Mising of Assam.
The organisation said the project could have ecological and environmental consequences and expressed concern for people living downstream in the Siang Valley and Assam.
The memorandum cites several dam-related incidents in other parts of India and abroad as examples underlying its concerns about the potential risks associated with large storage dams.
It also referred to the seismic characteristics of the Himalayan region, stating that the area is seismically active and falls under Seismic Zone V. The organisation linked these geological concerns to its opposition to a large storage-type project in the Adi areas.
ABKU clarifies position on dams
The memorandum also makes a distinction regarding the organisation’s position on dams.
ABKU stated that it is not opposed to all types of dams, but specifically objects to storage-type mega dams in the Adi areas.
At the conclusion of the portion of the memorandum made available, the organisation formally requested that the Governor:
- Scrap the proposed Siang Upper Multipurpose Storage Project (SUMPS); and
- Halt and cancel the PFR activities immediately.
The memorandum therefore places questions of land, customary practices, consent, displacement, environmental impact and the scale of the proposed storage project at the centre of ABKU’s concerns.
