Archive · 1 Feb 2026
Northeast Groups Warn of Displacement from Energy Policies
In Guwahati, groups from the Northeast of India came together to talk about energy policies.
They said these policies are bad for the people and could force many indigenous people to leave their homes.
They made a declaration called the Guwahati Declaration to protect their land, water, and forests.
They are worried about big projects like dams and mines that could harm the environment and their way of life.
They also think the government is giving too much control to big companies.
The groups want to make sure development happens in a way that respects their rights and doesn't hurt their communities.
More than 15 people’s organizations from the Northeast adopted the Guwahati Declaration, warning of anti-people energy policies.
The declaration highlights threats to indigenous lives, land, and resources from hydropower, mining, and infrastructure projects.
Participants warned of potential displacement of over one lakh indigenous people due to ongoing and proposed projects.
Critics argue that energy policies lack adequate social and environmental safeguards, despite the region's fragile ecology.
The convention questioned the rationale behind aggressive energy extraction, noting the Northeast's low power demand.
- Who
- More than 15 people’s organizations from the Northeast, including the Joint Struggle Committee for Protection of Land Rights
- What
- Adoption of the Guwahati Declaration warning against anti-people energy policies and potential displacement of indigenous communities
- When
- January 30, 2024
- Where
- Guwahati, Assam, India
- Why
- To protect human rights, land, water, and forests from illegal takeovers and to ensure development on indigenous communities' terms
- Location
- Guwahati, Assam, India
- Organizations Involved
- Joint Struggle Committee for Protection of Land Rights and 15+ people’s organizations
- States Represented
- Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Sikkim
- Key Document
- Guwahati Declaration
- Potential Displacement
- Over 1 lakh indigenous people
- Energy Targets
- 60 GW hydropower in Arunachal Pradesh, 17,000 MW in Assam by 2030
- Peak Power Demand
- Less than 5,000 MW for all eight northeastern states
- Criticized Projects
- Hydropower, mining, large infrastructure projects
