Thousands of tribal residents in Chhattisgarh’s Bastar region have renewed their opposition to the proposed Bodhghat multipurpose project, warning authorities that they will not surrender their land, forests and sacred cultural sites for a development initiative they fear could displace entire communities.
At a large gathering held on Sunday in Hitalkudum village near Barsur, where the project was originally proposed decades ago, residents from 56 villages and 18 gram panchayats vowed to resist any attempt to move forward with the project without their consent. Many participants arrived carrying traditional deities and religious symbols, underscoring the cultural significance of the land at the centre of the dispute.
“First shoot us, then build the dam,” was the message repeatedly voiced by protesters as they expressed concerns over the possible social, environmental and cultural consequences of the project.
Concerns Over Displacement and Forest Loss
According to local residents and activists, the proposed dam could affect villages across the districts of Dantewada, Bijapur, Bastar and Narayanpur. Protesters claim that more than 16,000 hectares of forest land could be submerged and tens of thousands of people displaced if the project proceeds.
Addressing the gathering, Dantewada MLA Vikram Mandavi criticised the revival of the project, describing it as a threat to the region’s traditional way of life.
“On one hand the government talks about development, and on the other it is pushing destruction. This is an attempt to uproot Bastar by taking away its jal, jungle and zameen. More than 50,000 people stand to be affected,” he said.
Shiv Kumar Mandavi, president of the Bodhghat Sangharsh Samiti, said local communities had consistently communicated their opposition to the project.
“When we met the chief minister, he assured us that the government would consult the people and would not proceed if they did not want the project. We expect that assurance to be honoured,” he said.
Cultural and Religious Concerns
For many tribal communities, opposition to the project goes beyond concerns about compensation and rehabilitation. Residents argue that the proposed reservoir would submerge forests, hills, caves and ancestral sites that hold deep spiritual significance.
“People can be relocated, but how will the government relocate our gods?” asked local representative Vidyadhar Nag. “Our deities live in these forests, mountains and caves. If they disappear under water, no compensation can replace them.”
Villagers maintain that the destruction of these sacred landscapes would amount to an irreversible loss of Bastar’s tribal heritage and identity.
Legal and Constitutional Questions Raised
The agitation has intensified following reports that survey activities connected to the project have resumed after decades of inactivity. Community groups allege that these surveys are being conducted without obtaining the mandatory consent of gram sabhas.
In a memorandum submitted to the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes, affected villagers and the Bodhghat Sangharsh Samiti alleged violations of the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act (PESA) and the Forest Rights Act (FRA).
The memorandum demands an immediate halt to all project-related activities until complete information is shared with affected communities and their written consent is obtained. The petition also calls for recognition of individual and community forest rights and implementation of resource planning and management provisions under the PESA Rules, 2022.
Community leaders have warned that any further action without these approvals would be viewed as a violation of constitutional protections available to tribal populations.
Government’s Position
State government officials have defended the proposed project, stating that it has the potential to significantly enhance irrigation facilities, generate hydroelectric power and contribute to long-term economic development in the Bastar region.
Officials have indicated that the current exercise is focused on reassessing the project’s feasibility and that no final decision has yet been taken regarding its implementation.
What Is the Bodhghat Project?
The Bodhghat multipurpose project is a proposed hydroelectric and irrigation initiative on the Indravati River near Barsur in Dantewada district. Originally conceived in 1979, the project was designed to generate electricity and improve irrigation across large parts of Bastar.
However, concerns regarding large-scale displacement, extensive forest submergence and environmental impacts led to the project being shelved for decades. The recent revival of survey activities has reignited one of central India’s longest-running debates over development, environmental conservation and the rights of indigenous communities.
With both sides holding firm positions, the future of the project is likely to remain a major political and social issue in Bastar in the months ahead.
