NBA or the Narmada Bachao Andolan is a movement for a social cause. It aims to put a halt to the large frequency of dam construction on the river Narmada. The Narmada Bachao Andolan commenced in 1985 with the support of a large number of participants from various strata like the environmentalists, tribal people or Adivasis, human rights activists and farmers. 

The movement was also well known by the name – “Save the Narmada movement”. The different forms to manifest the protests were going for a hunger strike, marches and rallies, making posters and banners, collaborating with eminent personalities of various industries.

Facts about the river Narmada

  • River Narmada is the biggest flowing river. It is called the 5th largest river of India and forms the largest river in the state of Gujarat. 
  • It is the line-of-life for Central India.
  • It starts around Amarkantak mountain ranges located in Madhya Pradesh., the frontier of MP and Maharashtra, the state of Maharashtra and Gujarat and finally the frontiers of Gujarat and Maharashtra, converging ultimately to the Gulf of Cambay. 
  • The flow of the river is in the direction of east to west.
  • It is also known by different names like Rewa. Being a sacred river of India, people usually call the Narmada river, Maa Rewa and Narmada maiya (maiya refers to mother).
  • Numerous stopping destinations (pit-stops) follow the course of the river that are popular sites for pilgrims.

The rise of Narmada Bachao Andolan 

  • Sardar Sarovar dam and Narmada Sarovar projects are the most acclaimed multi-crore projects proposed for construction over the Narmada river. 
  • The Sardar Sarovar dam project was assumed to yield 1450 megawatt of electricity and fulfil demands for clean drinking water to a stretch of thousands of villages, which led to an immediate nod for the construction of the dam.
  • Approval by the Narmada Water Disputes Tribunal fast-forwarded the world bank’s Narmada valley project. The world bank was the huge investor or fundraiser for the construction of the dam by sanctioning a loan of US$550 million. 
  • The leader of the NBA, Medha Patkar underwent 21-day fasting, organised various satyagrahas (the Gandhian form of protest) with other colleagues and supporters of Narmada Bachao Andolan as protests to pressurise the government to put a halt to the human rights disruption.
  • Different slogans were raised by solidarity groups of NBA like ‘Narmada bachao’ (Save Narmada), ‘Narmada ghati kare pukar, doobey nahi manav adhikar’ (the Narmada valley asks for justice to rights of people), ‘Save Narmada, save the people, ‘Enough is enough, no more displacements’.

What is at stake due to the proposal for dam construction? 

According to the NBA members, the proponents that say the Sardar Sarovar dam will be a huge contribution to the development of modern India, couldn’t foresee the devastation that this project might bring along with it.

  • It would displace around 2 lakh people. The forceful eviction would be a nightmare for these families as their livelihood is dependent on their habitat. For example, the Adivasi people, the farmers inhabiting the Narmada valley, are dependent on jungles and land for their survival.
  • It would be the biggest displacement that could wipe out civilization thriving for years.
  • An inundation of such projects would lead to damage to the ecosystem and the species habituating the Narmada valley.

Narmada Bachao Andolan- what do the leaders ask for?

  • The chief leaders of the Narmada Bachao Andolan are Medha Patkar and Baba Amte.
  • The participants and leaders demand the withdrawal of funding of US$550 million by the World bank in this project. 
  • The leaders want the government to steer clear of such a prototype to achieve the development of Modern India.
  • Ask for resettlement and giving back lands to the displaced families. They demanded that despite the promise of resettlement policy, many landless farmers shouldn’t be devoid of rehabilitation.

Conclusion

Although the Narmada Bachao Andolan didn’t succeed with flying colours, the Sardar Sarovar Dam still carved its way out despite various protests. But it ignited awareness, leadership and mobilised people’s opinions regarding the ruthless way we handle environmental assets. It served as oxygen by reviving the other protests. It followed the footsteps of the Gandhian way of demonstration, to protest but in a silent impactful way. The solidarity expressed by the young or old members of the NBA clearly reflects that humanity still thrives and people if come together can challenge the power on the other side.