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DAM-L LS: World Bank Response regarding SSP (fwd)
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subject: LS: World Bank Response regarding SSP
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Below is the World Bank's response to the NGO letter calling on the Bank to
take responsibility for its role in SSP. (We received the response by fax
on Dec. 19. Sorry for the delay in posting this!)
----------------------------
November 21, 2000
Mr. Patrick McCully
International Rivers Network
1847 Berkeley Way
Berkeley, CA 94703
Dear Mr. McCully:
Re: INDIA - Sardar Sarovar Project
Thank you for your letter to Mr. Wolfensohn dated November 10, 2000 on the
Sardar Sarovar project.
The World Bank shares your concern that the social and environmental
aspects of development are handled well, and that large dams can pose
particular potential problems in this regard. The Narmada development has
been particularly difficult, and the Bank withdrew its financial support in
1993. The Bank's strategy in India's rural and water sector today does not
involve support to construction of large dams. The current strategy focuses
on watershed development, sustainable water resources management, rural
water supply and sanitation, and rehabilitation of irrigation systems by
local communities. Participatory and demand driven approaches managed at
the grass roots by the local communities are central in the new approach.
We believe that Bank support to projects of this nature offer the best
means through which the Bank can provide assistance to India, and have no
plans to re-involve ourselves in the Narmada program.
The implementation of the Sardar Sarovar Project, including the associated
environmental and social mitigation measures is the responsibility of the
Government of India and the concerned states. Nevertheless, the Bank
remains concerned with the Sardar Sarovar project, and has been monitoring
developments there. As you indicate, we have in the past, and will continue
to urge the Government of India to meet its obligations regarding the
people affected by the project. In this regard, the recent decision of the
Supreme Court has mandated monitoring of social and environmental issues as
part of the decision process for successive construction phases of the dam.
In our view, such monitoring, providing it is a transparent and
participatory process, and in a collegiate partnership between Government
and civil society, would likely offer the best opportunity for the best
handling of social and environmental issues.
I am copying this letter, together with a copy of your letter, to the
Department of Economic Affairs, Government of India.
With regards,
Sincerely,
Edwin R. Lim
Country Director, India
World Bank
cc: Adarsh Kishore, Additional Secretary (FB), DEA, Ministry of Finance
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