As the national leaders stress water concerns in talks
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REGIONAL, August 24, 2025: Community support for the Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP) is steadily growing, with a fresh wave of village-level MoUs reflecting confidence in the project’s potential to protect lives, livelihoods and the future of the region.
The latest to join were the residents of Begging village in Siang district, where over 85% of households pledged their support for preparation of the project’s PFR. This comes close on the heels of similar endorsements from Riga and Riew villages, pointing to a rising sense of ownership among communities in the Siang belt. This comes on the back of sustained consultative efforts by State Government to create awareness about the project and dispel misinformation being spread by certain groups.
“We stand in support of this project because it carries the promise of a better future for our children and generations to come. We love our land as we love our families. It holds our identity, our memories, and our heritage, and that is why it matters deeply that the government has engaged in proactive dialogue, listening to our concerns and assuring that families who part with land will be given the strongest possible support. With fair recognition, resettlement safeguards, and priority to our communities to be detailed in the long-awaited PFR, we feel confident that our contributions will be valued. Together, we can protect our culture while also embracing new opportunities, walking shoulder to shoulder with our government towards a brighter tomorrow”, said a local from Begging.
Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein, along with other state leaders, has assured that project-affected families will be adequately compensated and involved in a transparent resettlement and rehabilitation process. The government has also stressed that the project will open up opportunities for jobs, self-employment, and regional development.
“The growing support from our villages shows that people see SUMP as a project for their security and prosperity,” said a senior officer of State government in anonymity. Coupled with the steps taken by our national leadership to highlight water concerns, this community confidence is a powerful signal that Arunachal is united in shaping its water security.”
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar raised India’s concerns on river issues during his recent meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in a bid to ensure that both local communities and national leadership are aligned in protecting Arunachal’s riverine interests.
Citing the implications for riparian communities of Siang region, and in light of recent reports of construction activity on China’s dam project, he called for utmost transparency, stressing that open information-sharing and regional cooperation are essential to safeguard the interests of these communities.
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