About the project and Its impacts
The Polavaram Multipurpose Irrigation Project is a large-scale, multi-purpose irrigation initiative implemented by the Government of Andhra Pradesh (India), with financial support from the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) under the Ministry of Finance, and oversight from the Ministry of Jal Shakti (formerly the Ministry of Water Resources). The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) have provided technical assistance to different components of the project.
The project – which includes also a dam under construction on the Godavari River – is expected to affect approximately 276 villages and around 200,000 people, many of whom belong to Indigenous Adivasi communities. According to community groups, more than 100,000 people have already been displaced and relocated to « rehabilitation colonies ». They report that displacement has disrupted livelihoods, damaged local ecosystems, and undermined traditional ways of life, cultural identity, and community cohesion.
Community representatives and civil society organizations argue that the project proceeded on the basis of inadequate Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Social Impact Assessment (SIA) processes, and that the project has failed to comply with key legal and human rights protections.
Communities have raised concerns about the long-term risks posed by the project, including increased flooding, loss of agricultural land and livelihoods, displacement from ancestral territories, erosion of Indigenous culture and identity, and the breakdown of traditional governance systems. They have pursued legal action before the High Court, Supreme Court, and National Green Tribunal, challenging the validity of the environmental and social assessments, the legality of project approvals, and alleged violations of environmental law and human rights.
About the community-led struggle
To support the affected communities, our CRE collaborator Samata – a grassroots organization focused on land rights and sustainable community development – conducted extensive awareness campaigns and community consultations across 63 villages in 12 Gram Panchayats. More than 7,000 community members participated in these meetings, which focused on Indigenous peoples’ rights, the provisions of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013, rehabilitation and resettlement (R&R) entitlements, livelihood restoration measures, basic infrastructure, and road connectivity. In the villages of Agraharam and Seetharam, Samata organized legal awareness meetings to inform affected communities about their legal rights and available remedies.
In 2024, Samata also convened a regional workshop for more than 50 local leaders, activists, journalists, and affected communities, focused on rehabilitation and resettlement provisions under the Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013.
Samata is also strengthening the leadership of Indigenous youth and providing training on constitutional protections and relevant legislation. Equipped with this knowledge, trained youth actively participated in official Gram Sabha meetings convened by the Government of Andhra Pradesh, where they raised concerns regarding beneficiary cut-off dates, housing allocations, property valuation, and other rehabilitation issues.
Community members also engaged directly with local authorities to seek accountability. For example, residents from 20 villages submitted applications covering 252 acres of land to the Tehsildar, raising concerns related to rehabilitation and resettlement packages, land-for-land compensation, and other outstanding grievances. Through legal advocacy, community mobilization, and rights awareness, affected communities have continued to demand meaningful consultation, lawful implementation of rehabilitation measures, and protection of their land, livelihoods, and Indigenous rights.
The CRE also supported Samata in connecting with the Defenders in Development campaign (who helped identify the development banks involved in the project) and with a referral partner who provided funds for some of the campaign activities.