Tribal Communities Resist Gujjili and Chittivalasa Pumped Storage Projects in ASR District
Tribal communities in Andhra Pradesh's ASR district are opposing two proposed pumped storage hydroelectric projects in the Araku Valley. Residents fear significant displacement, loss of ancestral lands, and negative ecological impacts, urging authorities to ensure transparent consultations and adherence to tribal rights.
Highlights
- •Tribal communities in ASR district are strongly resisting two new pumped storage hydroelectric projects.
- •The projects require 1,420 acres of land, threatening displacement and loss of traditional tribal livelihoods.
- •Residents cite concerns over land loss, cultural erosion, and the challenges observed during previous large-scale displacements.
- •District authorities have promised to ensure transparent consultations and adhere to legal frameworks for scheduled areas.
In Alluri Sitarama Raju (ASR) district, Andhra Pradesh, tribal communities are intensifying their opposition against the proposed Gujjili and Chittivalasa pumped storage projects. Residents in the Araku Valley region have expressed significant distress, fearing that these major hydroelectric infrastructure developments will lead to widespread displacement, loss of traditional livelihoods, and irreversible damage to their local ecology.
Impacts on Tribal Land and Culture
The proposed projects, situated within the Anantagiri and Hukumpeta mandals, encompass a substantial area of 1,420 acres, including 117 acres of forest land. Approximately 471 acres are slated for submersion under water reservoirs, a prospect that has deeply alarmed local inhabitants. Specific villages affected by these plans include Dudikonda, Bhimavaram, Kusumavalasa, Mushriguda, Chippapally, Dumbrivalasa, and Majjivalasa.
For the tribal leadership, the primary concern is not about financial settlements or promises of employment. Instead, they emphasize that these pumped storage projects threaten their profound connection to ancestral lands, which form the bedrock of their culture, identity, and daily sustenance. Tribal activists, such as Killo Surendra, general secretary of the Adivasi Girijana Sangham, argue that land serves as more than just property; it is an irreplaceable cultural asset.
Concerns Over Legal and Environmental Safeguards
Many local residents are referencing the past experiences of those displaced by the Polavaram project to highlight ongoing struggles with rehabilitation. As opposition to the Gujjili and Chittivalasa pumped storage projects grows, stakeholders are focusing on the mandatory statutory approvals required before any construction can commence. These include necessary environmental clearances from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, consultations with gram sabhas, and thorough Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) studies.
Recently, a representative delegation from the impacted zones met with District Collector T. Nishanthi in Paderu to formally voice their resistance. They stressed the importance of ensuring that no administrative decisions are finalized without transparent community consultation and informed consent. In response, the collector assured the delegation that their grievances would be presented to the state government. She emphasized that the district administration intends to operate in strict accordance with the laws governing scheduled areas, ensuring that there is adequate prior information sharing and coordination before any physical field-level activities occur.
