Hydropower projects are often seen as a way to generate electricity and manage floods. But for communities living along rivers, they can also bring uncertainty over land, livelihoods and the environment.
In Northeast India, a proposed dam has sparked opposition across Assam and Meghalaya, bringing together communities concerned about its impact. The resistance also comes amid protests against another major hydropower project in neighbouring Arunachal Pradesh.
What is driving the opposition, and why are residents questioning the cost of development?
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What Is Happening In Arunachal Pradesh?
The proposed 11,200 MW Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP) in Arunachal Pradesh faces opposition, particularly from the indigenous Adi community, over fears of submerged ancestral land, displaced villages and ecological damage.
On 23 October 2026, protests turned violent in Pasighat. Police used tear gas, while protesters reportedly pelted stones and damaged public and private property. At least 21 people were arrested, and security was increased across the Siang Valley.
The project is also linked to India's strategic concerns over China's proposed mega-dam on the Yarlung Zangbo river, which enters India as the Siang. However, local residents remain concerned about their homes, land and livelihoods.
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Why Are Assam And Meghalaya Protesting Against The Kulsi Dam?
Announced in June 2025, the 55 MW Kulsi Multipurpose Project at Ukiam, on the Assam-Meghalaya border, aims to generate electricity, provide irrigation to 26,000 hectares and offer incidental flood-management benefits. Its estimated cost is Rs. 1,454.95 crore (at June 2017 prices).
Opposition intensified in July 2026, when the Brahmaputra Board handed the Detailed Project Report (DPR) to the Assam Power Generation Corporation Limited (APGCL). More than 26 villages had opposed the project since 2025, fearing displacement and the loss of farmland and livelihoods.
The proposed dam, reportedly 62 metres high, is planned where the Dron, Sree (Khri) and Ghagua streams meet the Kulsi river, which supports farming and fishing across South Kamrup and West Khasi Hills.
Estimates of the number of affected villages differ: the government puts the figure at around 15, community assessments cite 36, while the Kulsi River Basin Nature and Livelihood Protection Committee identifies 10 villages facing submergence. Families dependent on betel and banana plantations fear losing their main income.
The opposition includes Rabha, Garo, Khasi, Bodo and Adivasi communities across both states.
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Why Are Environmentalists Worried About The Dolphins?
The Kulsi is a breeding ground for the endangered Gangetic river dolphin, locally called Xihu. A 2022 national survey recorded around 20 dolphins along its Kukurmara stretch.
Residents fear that changes to the river's water volume, speed and seasonal flow could harm dolphin habitats and breeding. They also worry about Chandubi Lake, around 3 km from the site. The lake drains into the Kulsi during the monsoon and receives water from the river in the dry season. At least 12 other wetlands in the basin could also be affected.
Protesters question whether these ecological impacts have been adequately assessed and made public for independent scrutiny.
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What Has Happened So Far?
On 8 October 2026, over 2,000 Rabha, Bodo, Garo and Khasi residents protested at Kyrshai, near Ukiam. Organised by the Assam-Meghalaya Joint Protection Committee, formed in 2025, the rally also saw three Khasi chiefs from Hima Nongkhlaw, Hima Nongmynsaw and Hima Rambrai refuse to issue NOCs or consent to the project.
Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma had earlier said the dam would not proceed against residents' wishes. However, the July 2026 DPR handover raised questions about this assurance.
The Union Ministry of Jal Shakti said the DPR must be updated in consultation with Meghalaya's Power Department and affected communities, with compensation also to be considered. The handover does not mean that all statutory and environmental clearances have been granted.
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The Bigger Question: Development At Whose Cost?
The Siang and Kulsi projects differ in scale, objectives and political context, but the opposition raises a common question about infrastructure development in the Northeast.
While hydropower can generate electricity, support irrigation and help manage water, large dams can also affect indigenous communities, farmland, river ecosystems and traditional ways of life.
The larger question is whether communities that depend on these rivers have a meaningful say in decisions that could permanently change their land and surroundings.
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TL;DR | News At A Glance
Why are people protesting against dams in Northeast India?
Communities in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Meghalaya fear displacement, loss of ancestral land, damage to livelihoods and environmental consequences from proposed hydropower projects.
Which dam has triggered protests in Assam and Meghalaya?
The proposed 55 MW Kulsi Multipurpose Project at Ukiam, along the Assam-Meghalaya border.
What are the benefits of the Kulsi dam?
The project aims to generate 55 MW of electricity, provide irrigation to around 26,000 hectares and offer incidental flood-management benefits.
Why are villagers opposing the Kulsi project?
They fear the proposed 62-metre-high dam could submerge villages and farmland, disrupt the Kulsi river's natural flow and threaten Gangetic river dolphins.
How many villages could be affected?
The government estimates that around 15 villages could be affected, while community assessments cited by protesters put the number at 36. The Kulsi River Basin Nature and Livelihood Protection Committee identifies 10 villages facing submergence.
What happened at the October 2026 protest?
More than 2,000 people from four indigenous communities gathered near Ukiam on 8 October. Three traditional Khasi chiefs also refused to issue NOCs for the project.
Has the Kulsi dam been approved for construction?
The Brahmaputra Board handed over its DPR to APGCL on 30 July 2026, allowing the Assam government to take the project forward. However, this does not by itself mean that all statutory and environmental clearances have been granted.
What is happening in Arunachal Pradesh?
The proposed 11,200 MW Siang Upper Multipurpose Project has faced protests over fears of displacement and the submergence of ancestral Adi tribal villages. Clashes with police led to at least 21 arrests in October 2026.
